Why You Should Be Excited About Your Staycation
With spring break only 6 days away, the excitement across campus is palpable. The buzz of combined workload and impatience for vacation is tangible in the conversations shared amongst friends. Walking through the library, I can hear students swap plans over study materials, everyone trying to push through midterms. Our two week reprieve is so close we can almost taste it.
While some students are travelling far and wide, most of the people I’ve spoken to are “just going back home” for break. While, at first glance, a staycation isn’t the most exciting of times, I’m here to prove you wrong. Here are a few reasons why you should be excited about your staycation, or maybe, what things you might want to try out while back home.
1. Do some well-deserved reading (for fun).
This first one might make you blanch at first, but stay with me. Reading, when you aren’t being forced to for class, is actually very relaxing. I’m not suggesting you pick up Plato’s Republic either — any kind of reading is okay, no matter the density or topic. I personally will engross myself in any new YA Fantasy and Science Fiction releases.
2. Catch up on TV shows.
School has been hectic and stressful, so you may not have had a chance to stay tuned into your favorite TV shows. If you have a Hulu or Netflix account, that makes this step 10x easier. If not, borrow a friend’s. Some really good shows are currently running (Scandal, anyone?) and I know I could not go home and see my friends at the risk of a spoiler alert or five. Speaking of friends…
3. Make lunch plans with old classmates.
You may have gone home winter break and seen your old friends from high school, but that was after the first semester. Often, the game of coming home for break is to give off the impression that school a total breeze with little to no anxiety, and that you’ve found your best friends for life. For most, this isn’t the case (and it isn’t expected to be either). Now that we’ve spent some time easing into Spring semester, everyone will be a little more relaxed and a little more open.
4. Find a new place in your town that you’ve never been before.
While this may be easier for some (I’m from New York City), I think there’s always room for exploration. You might have to go into the next town over, but grab a friend, get in your car, and spend the day taking pictures or going to try a new restaurant. Maybe go to the park and explore. If you live in or near a city, spend the day at a museum. Regardless, the goal is to get up off your butt and out of the house. We spend enough time during the year confined to this campus, so don’t waste your two weeks by staying cooped up in your house 24/7.
5. Hang out with your family, because they love you and miss you.
Hugs and cuddles for days. Enough said.