With the spread of COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus), thousands of people across the world will be changing or cancelling their travel plans. If you’re like me, the sandy, sunny spring break you’ve been dreaming of is all but a distant memory. Compared to an exotic new locale, your home in the suburbs feels stuffy and uninspiring. How do you fill a void reserved for floppy hats and mai tais? Read on.
- Clean out your bookshelf.
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Spring cleaning is more than just a saying. There is no better way to usher in a new season than by decluttering your space. (To reiterate, this article is for people not going on vacation.) I love cleaning out my bookshelf because it reminds me how many great stories exist in the world, and how many books I own but have yet to read. In just a few minutes of cleaning, I have already constructed my must-read list (starting with Permanent Record by Edward Snowden and Less by Andrew Sean Greer), and gathered a pile of books to donate to my local library.
- Take up a hobby. (Yes, *that* hobby.)
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Everyone has a hobby they have been reluctant to take up for fear of failure; anyone who claims they do not is a dirty liar. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of playing guitar, but couldn’t get past “Hot Cross Buns” in third grade recorder lessons. Or, you want to make the Opera Cake seen on The Great British Baking Show, but “jaconde sponge” and “crème au beurre” are — literally — a foreign language to you. Spend your spring break indulging these interests! If you fail (miserably), you’ll at least have a funny story to tell your friends; if you succeed, you’ll have a great new hobby to explore.
- Rediscover your hometown.
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Depending on your childhood, rediscovering your hometown may be last on your list of fun things to do over spring break. However, you can strengthen your bond with your roots by finding places or things you enjoy. When I am home in the spring and summer, I love walking my dog into town and sitting at the local French cafe. The lemon tarts are the best around, and I am reminded of why my hometown is so special.
- Finish a project you’ve been avoiding.
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While this project need not be academic, I will not discourage you from banging out some chapters of your thesis. As a creative person, I always have a project on the backburner, from a novel I started in middle school (true story), to a blog that can always use more content. Projects can also include working on internship applications, repainting your bedroom, or training for a half marathon. (If this piece inspires you to train for a half marathon, please let me know.)
- Call or text potential voters.
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Barnumbia is a politically engaged campus, so it’s fair to assume that you’re supporting a candidate for the 2020 presidential election (or a down-ballot race!). One of the best ways to advocate for a candidate is to call or text potential voters. Major states voting soon include Florida (March 17), Wisconsin (April 7), and New York (April 28). Establish meaningful connections with undecided voters by signing up for phone- or text-banking on your candidate’s website.
Spring break is often associated with beaches, tans, and day-drinking, but I argue that staying home can be just as fun (and lead to fewer hangovers!). Spring break at home is a great opportunity for self-improvement, from learning a new skill to completing the tasks you’ve been avoiding. Take advantage of the free week, and arrive back on campus refreshed, engaged, and ready to close out the semester.