Fall semester is halfway over, and you probably just realized that you still haven’t visited all your friends at other schools that you promised to visit back in the summer. Feeling a little guilty? After spending my fall break with my high school friends at the University of Michigan, here are my top reasons to start looking for flights, with a few tips from my own experience thrown in.
#1: It’s a vacation!
There’s no way to beat the mid-semester boredom of going to the same places every weekend than completely changing your scenery. This is the perfect opportunity to make an excuse to go somewhere totally new, especially for those who love to travel. It’s always fun to explore a new city, but having your friend as your tour guide makes it even more personal. An unassuming library might have a hilarious story behind it that you would never know if you passed it on your own. Pro tip: If your friend has class or another commitment that leaves you by yourself for a couple hours, don’t just wait around in the dorms. Go out and find a coffee shop or a bench on a quad; anywhere to people watch and make the most of your time.
#2: Meeting the new friends
Even though the weekend is really about spending quality time with your old friends, that doesn’t mean you can’t make new friends too. After you reunite with your friend, the next people you meet will be their roommate and friends. If they’re anything like your friend, you’ll definitely get along well. Visitors are a great excuse for them to take you to all their favorite spots, so you can fully experience of a day (or weekend) in their life. Pro tip: Bring a souvenir or special treat from your college’s city to get on their good side from the start. Food is especially appreciated (I brought beignets from Café du Monde, which were a big hit!), which brings me to my next point…
#3: Trying new food
Every college town seems to have a few specialty foods that can’t be found anywhere else. This is my personal favorite way to get to know a new place. Ask your friend what all her favorite new foods are, and you won’t be disappointed. Plus, it’s a vacation, so calories don’t really count, right? Pro tip: Try not to eat at any restaurants you have at your school. Find somewhere unique instead!
#4: Bonding time
This is the obvious one, but also the most important. It’s easy to lose touch with friends from home when you’re busy at school. You might not realize how badly you need a weekend dedicated to catching up! After you’ve updated each other on the past few months, you can continue to strengthen your friendship by making new memories together. Enjoy it while you can, because the weekend will inevitably fly by and you will have to say your goodbyes before you know it. Pro tip: Pics or it didn’t happen.
#5: There’s no place like home
Experiencing life at another college makes you appreciate your own school so much more. Once the initial culture shock wears off, you will probably find yourself noticing things that make you think, “We do this so much better at my school.” It’s so easy to take our schools for granted when we complain about midterms and weather. Visiting other colleges will help you avoid this cycle and be grateful for what you have. Pro tip: Pay it forward by hosting your friends next time and showing them why you love your school too.