It’s finally that time. After all the waiting, the anticipation, the last-minute ab workouts, Spring Break is actually here. For the lucky few, that means an entire, glorious week of sun, sand, and daiquiris, but the reality for most of us involves a little less beach volleyball and a little more wrapping yourself in a Snuggie while you watch old episodes of The Nanny on Netflix because you’re already caught up on Girls, and there’s no more 30 Rock.
How can the average collegiette escape this grim fate? If nothing else, you’re still getting a week-long reprieve from classes, midterms, papers, and the guy across the hall who, for whatever reason, has decided that 9:00 AM on Saturday is a good time to crank up his electric guitar. You’ll have eight days to do whatever you want and whatever you don’t normally have time for. Spring Break is the time to stop putting them off because you have too much work or extracurriculars, so, if you don’t already have a “100 Creative Ways to Eat Cookie Dough” pinned, here are some fun springtime projects that you don’t need sunscreen to accomplish.
- Watch a Movie: We all know the Oscars just happened, but how many of us know more about Jennifer Lawrence’s dress than we do about any of the nominated films? I think I saw a grand total of one. Sure, the Academy has already picked their favorites, but now it’s your turn. Plenty are already out on DVD, including Anna Karenina (Winner for Best Costume Design and more Keira Knightley historical eye candy), Skyfall (Nominee for Best Cinematography and I personally cannot get enough of Daniel Craig in that suit), and, for those of us craving a little childhood comfort, Brave (Winner for Best Animated Film). And, if you haven’t seen Paperman, winner for Best Short Film, I would recommend using that as a warm-up to this Academy Award-winning movie marathon.
- Actually Cook Something: For once, you’ll actually have access to a kitchen. Sure, a lot of us aren’t exactly domestic goddesses—nor do we want to be—but most collegiettes do like to eat. So, if you have the time—and the parental funds for ingredients and heart-shaped Bundt pans—why not give some of those Pinterest dishes a try? If nothing else, you’ll end up with a lot of sprinkles, a bowl of frosting, and a little less free time on your hands. And, you can munch on those gourmet dark chocolate chips the recipe “just had to have” while you’re watching an Oscar-nominated film.
- Plan for Summer: Every collegiette wants a glamorous summer experience, whether it’s a fabulous internship in New York City or a lucrative job back home, and now’s the time to finalize those plans. If you don’t already have a position lined up, it’s not too late. Spring Break is the perfect time to line up interviews, especially if you’re thinking about a summer at home. It’s also a good time to line up some mother-daughter bonding time at the mall to pick out the perfect professional-yet-flattering, sensible-yet-intriguing outfit for your impending interviews and future as a career woman. Those outfits are investments, which usually means expensive, and I would personally rather spend my meager collegiette income on a couple of new dresses from Forever 21 than a blouse from J. Crew.
- Why Not Spend Some Time in that Snuggie? The grim picture I opened with doesn’t have to be such a gloomy experience. Wash U keeps us all pretty busy, not leaving us a lot of time to just sit back and relax, at least not without a certain amount of guilt. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to a warm blanket, a mug of tea or hot chocolate—or a pint of Haagen Dazs, depending on the level of relaxation you need to achieve—and some TV you don’t need to think too much about. Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl are still going strong if you’re in the mood for some drama and 1,000 shades of lip gloss, while Parks and Recreation, Girls, and Modern Family cater to your comedic side. For fantasy and a seriously gorgeous cast, check out Once Upon a Time. All those shows that you’ve been missing out on thanks to your packed schedule are now just waiting to be enjoyed.
- Relive Those Hometown Charms: Whether you’re still nostalgic for the street you grew up on or couldn’t wait to get out, your hometown has a lot to offer, and probably a lot you haven’t discovered yet. Now that you’re an adult with a little more independence (and maybe a 21+ ID), you’re free to explore. Try a new restaurant, go to a museum your high school self dismissed as boring, check out local music venues. Or, just revisit all your favorite childhood memories. Playgrounds, ice cream shops, parks, and your own neighborhood may still hold a lot of appeal, or just help you stop worrying about the fact that soon you’ll be buying slacks and trying to be self-sufficient. Spring Break is supposed to be fun, so don’t feel the need to take it too seriously.
So, even if you’re not jetting off to Miami or Aspen in the next few days, don’t despair. Spring Break is a rare and beautiful opportunity available only to those of us who have yet to graduate college, so savor it. Maybe you won’t learn to surf, but there are plenty of better ways to spend your time than moping about you permanent Midwest pallor. Get creative, have fun, and remember that Spring Break is for you and can be the perfect time to relax and recharge for the rest of the semester.
Image courtesy of BradsDeal.com