Is the idea that academics take a month off when their students do a myth – or do you owe it to yourselves to have a break?
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Holidays? I remember those...distantly... It seems even if I go away there's always something to read or write or mark. #LoveHE @BobCesca
I find it is at the times when you not officially at work that you think of something to write and then have to write it. @Paully232000
As always, there is a difference between 'in theory' and 'in practice'! @ianirwinsmyth
Holidays?! Haha! Term time consists of thesis writing, data collection, and teaching. Holidays are for writing publications!@agriffithsmoros
I find stopping completely too dangerous -takes too long to restart ! - so will keep a few things ticking over. @paulusm
Marking, cooking, marking, cooking... @ sharrongalley
Is talk of academic holidays a load of old giblets? Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty
"The fact that my students are now on holiday does not mean that I am." So writes Caroline Barratt, lecturer in health policy at the University of Essex. Having survived her first term in the post, Caroline has earned herself a nice lie-down till mid-January, right?
Wrong. In her blog debunking the notion of holidays in (or from) academic life, Caroline says the most she aspires to is a few days free from email. With essays to mark, chapters to read and even write, a month off would be a miracle. When we asked our Twitter followers (who incidentally increased steadily to 25,000 by 25 December), you seemed far from idle.
As @LeonKYTeo tweeted: '"Holidays for academics" is a myth!' And he wasn't the only one.
However, there were voices of reason such as @ProfCathHarper, who tweeted: "Addiction to current HE challenges requires considerable self-control to withdraw over break, but good leaders set examples." And @tanyagolashboza simply stated: "This academic needs and will take a break. Two weeks. Starting tomorrow."
What is your take on time off? Cast your vote and share your anecdotes in the comments or tweet us @gdnhighered using the hashtag #HEhols
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