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Brown | Life > Experiences

3 Key Takeaways From My First Spring Break In The Tropics

Elle Horst Student Contributor, Brown University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brown chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Spring Break provides the perfect opportunity for a fun getaway with friends. But planning and executing a trip isn’t as simple as it seems. I just completed a Spring Break trip to Montego Bay with some friends. While it was an incredible experience, there were definitely some lessons learned! Here are some of the biggest takeaways from my spring break experience.

Prepare for some spending.

Spring Break costs are far more than transportation and lodging! Popular spring break destinations typically inflate prices for food and beverages. I learned this firsthand while staying in a resort — finding a cheap drink or meal was practically impossible. I spent far more money than I anticipated when budgeting for the trip. 

consider your destination’s weather.

After spending the past months in Providence’s winter weather, going to a warm, tropical climate shocked the system. While it was wonderful to soak up the sun, I got badly sunburned! Be prepared to consistently reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Use a product with a minimum SPF of 30 if headed to a tropical location.

don’t neglect your schoolwork.

I made the mistake of not working on any assignments during my vacation. And while that made for a relaxing and fun trip, I got absolutely slammed with work the second I set foot back on campus, making for a stressful and overwhelming week. I recommend spending a little time each day doing some assignments to feel more prepared for the return to school.

Elle Horst

Brown '26

Elle Horst is a junior at Brown University concentrating in Business/Economics. She hails from the Bay Area, CA but has fallen in love with life on the East Coast and Brown! This is her third year as a member of Her Campus, for which she is the Director of Marketing. Outside of her studies, she is involved in numerous organizations on campus, including Women in Business as a Marketing and Communications Chair, Fashion at Brown as the Web Design Director, and the Kappa Delta sorority. In her free time, she loves cooking, work out classes, coffee dates, and reading! She can't wait to give readers a glimpse into life as a student at Brown and the greater Providence area!