(April 13, 2007) — “I can’t come. I have to study,” junior Christopher Mangasarian said to his parents as they began planning their annual spring break vacation. Similar to several other students at Clark, Mangasarian had to turn down a week of pure relaxation to devote his spring break to studying. With Advanced Placement (AP) testing coming up in early May and spring break coming later than usual, students are planning their studying around their spring break. “I hope to begin studying the week before spring break, and devote the rest of spring break to taking practice tests,” Mangasarian said. Mangasarian has four AP tests to prepare for: Chemistry, English, US History and Computer Science. “During the year, I [so much of] my focus into my classes, that my plan to prepare for AP tests became secondary,” Mangasarian said. “But I am sure that what I have learned in the past year will be very helpful in my studying.” Mangasarian intends to organize his studying with daily schedules. He hopes that this way he can follow a set agenda and see his progress over time. Even though Mangasarian will not be going on a vacation, he will be accompanying a friend during a two-day trip to the University of California, Berkeley. This will give him extra time to study in the car and at Berkeley as well. “I will not be doing much there, so I have a lot of time doing nothing,” Mangasarian said. “So I can take advantage and study.” Unlike other students, Mangasarian is glad that spring break is later than usual. “[Studying] is not really taking away from my break,” Mangasarian said. “I will still have time to do the fun stuff.” But, on the other hand, some students, such as senior Meldia Hacobian, are frustrated with the delay. “I feel obligated to stay home and study since AP testing is so soon after break,” Hacobian said. However, instead of being stuck home all week, she has also scheduled days to study for her Government, Calculus AB, and English Literature test. “I have been waiting for spring break for the past month and I will not give it all up for studying,” Hacobian said.