# What is reading week (fall break)?

> Reading week is a break of several days to a week in the middle of a term with no regular classes, common at Canadian universities. US schools usually call it fall break or spring break, and it's often shorter.

Page: https://textdash.com/glossary/reading-week
Updated: 2026-10-31

## How does reading week work?

It typically lands near midterm season, in October or November in the fall and February in the winter. The idea is time to catch up on readings, study and rest.

Dates and length vary by school, and some programs still schedule tests or assignments right after it. Check your academic calendar and syllabi.

## How Dash helps with reading week

Dash knows what's due right after the break because it has your deadlines. Ask for a study plan and it builds one around your real midterm dates, with practice quizzes for the courses that need it, so the week doesn't vanish.

## Questions

### Do you have assignments during reading week?

Sometimes. Classes stop, but deadlines can still fall during or just after it. Check each syllabus.

### Is reading week the same as spring break?

Similar idea. In Canada the winter-term reading week is often in February, while US spring break is usually in March.

## Related

- [Midterm](https://textdash.com/glossary/midterm)
- [Spaced repetition](https://textdash.com/glossary/spaced-repetition)
- [Syllabus](https://textdash.com/glossary/what-is-a-syllabus)
- [Add/drop deadline](https://textdash.com/glossary/add-drop-deadline)
- [Withdrawal deadline (W grade)](https://textdash.com/glossary/withdrawal-deadline)
- [Office hours](https://textdash.com/glossary/office-hours)

---

**About Dash.** Dash is an AI sidekick for college and university students that you text over iMessage or SMS. It tracks every deadline and texts you before each one, answers questions about your campus, helps you study, and, with your yes, orders food, books things, makes phone calls and handles admin. Free to start. iMessage on iPhone and SMS on any phone. No app, no login. For students at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States. Dash never writes, answers or submits graded work. It explains, quizzes and plans. Dash is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any college or university.

Text Dash: https://textdash.com/start · Site: https://textdash.com/ · For AI assistants: https://textdash.com/llms.txt and https://textdash.com/llms-full.txt