Ever since we were little, we’ve had a specific image of what spring break should look like for college students. It’s depicted as a time where young adults head to Florida or other vacation spot to let off steam and party hard. For DU students in the rigorous quarter system, it’s true we need to let loose and reset before yet another brutal ten weeks.
But for some of us, spring break doesn’t always mean we can fly to another city and escape reality. While we pay off student loans or keep up on rent, we watch friends plan their getaways and the thought of spring break can feel bleak. But this doesn’t mean we can’t have our own fun and make the most of our time off from school. Here are a few tips for helping you relax and enjoy your time in between work and staying home.
- Make the most of your mornings.
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If you’re working the typical 9-5 this spring break, you may want to take advantage of the time you have before work. A few days of rest and sleeping in may be in order, but a few days waking up with the sun could be beneficial as well. Maybe I’m biased, since I wake up early every morning. But when I work out, meditate, or read as the sun rises, I feel much more productive and ready to take on the day.
- Write a list of things you want to do throughout the week.
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As a Virgo, I’m all about planning. Writing down a few things you’d like to do over spring break can help the days from passing by too quickly. Don’t feel pressured to get everything on the list, but things as simple as taking a walk or hitting up an old friend can go a long way towards a refreshing spring break.
- Find events to attend on the weekends or in your time off.
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With the warm weather we’ve been getting, I’m sure there will be plenty of events going on in Denver you won’t want to miss out on. Try attending an event at Mercury Café (even if you have to go alone!), or checking out Sofar Sounds Denver for some fun music. If you’re about getting that money, I recommend my latest side hustle: dog walking. You get paid to play with puppies and be outside—what’s better than that?
- Validate your time alone and lack of plans.
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In the end, spring break is what you make of it. Don’t spend your days feeling down and living vicariously through others’ posts on Instagram. Even without fancy plans, you are doing what you need to do, and you have at least a couple hours each day to spend away from work that are homework-free. Take the much needed R&R at home, and don’t worry about what others are doing.
As a college student, I’m guilty of underestimating the number of hours in a day. But this upcoming spring break gives us an opportunity to reinvent the classic stereotype and dedicate our time to both the hustle and our self-care. My advice? Try to find balance in your spring break this year.