For the first time in years, Washington University’s spring semester started the same way as the average week: on a Monday. Previously, the third Monday in January was treated as an extra travel day, a time to regroup before the start of the semester or the last day of sorority recruitment. Despite Martin Luther King Jr. Day being a national holiday, students felt little of its impact.

This year, use the rare Monday free of classes as an opportunity for personal growth. Considering that students have been on campus for a week and little homework has been assigned since then, there are few excuses to not participate in events on campus or in the greater St. Louis area.

Washington University will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel. At the event, Chancellor Mark Wrighton and his wife, Risa Zwerling Wrighton, will receive the 2019 Rosa L. Parks Award for their contributions to community initiatives. Additionally, Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones, an epidemiologist and researcher of the impact of racism on healthcare, will present a celebration lecture from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Eric P. Newman Center at the School of Medicine.

Involvement shouldn’t stop with the return of classes on Tuesday. This week, Black Anthology will present their 30th annual performance, titled “The Creation,” and the Black Rep will put on their newest show, “Canfield Drive.” Later in February, the University will host its annual “Day of Discovery, Dialogue & Action.” While programming has not yet been announced, past years’ events have featured a keynote speaker with smaller breakout sessions in the afternoon.

Separate from scheduled events, there are many ways to continue your newfound passion for equity education on campus. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) provides 10 different self-study guides for topics from “Intersectionality” to “Equity in St. Louis,” each with videos, news articles, book recommendations and course listings for you to work through and select at your own pace. The CDI can also help student groups by facilitating trainings, workshops and conversations on a wide range of topics.

The Student Life Editorial Board often opines about how Washington University students forget the last three words of our school’s name. For everyone, including us, it’s easy to think that acknowledging the problem is enough. This year, commit to making a change. Tomorrow is the perfect day to start.