Believe it or not, bid week is long gone, midterms are finishing up, and SB11 is right around the corner.
Although I’ll be jetting off to Miami for some much-needed sushi with my girls time, I know plenty of people who are heading back to the ranch (a.k.a home sweet home) come March 12. Though you might not be tanning on the beach this Spring Break, there are definitely advantages to staying home.
Trust me, I haven’t gone on a Spring Break trip since a disastrous visit to St. John junior year of high school, so I’m an old pro on making the most out of your time at the old homestead.
Read on to check out my expert tips on how to have an epic Spring Break staycation.
1. Read a Book – Seriously, our generation doesn’t do enough of this these days. I’m not talking about the books we read for school (if anyone actually does their homework – I know I don’t), but you should go to your local Barnes & Noble and actually pick out a book that looks interesting to you. It doesn’t have to be classic literature, just something that tickles your fancy. I guarantee you’ll come away a little bit more knowledgeable and enlightened than you were before.
2. Apply for Internships – News flash: camp is out and internships are in. I don’t know what your summer plans are, but if they don’t include an internship, you’re behind the curve. Don’t sweat – it’s not as scary as it sounds. You can find an internship anywhere – companies love the free labor, so they’re slapping the internship label on anything and everything these days. In my opinion, Spring Break is the best time to apply for these because you have lots of extra free time to write cover letters, which are the most time-consuming part of the process.
3. Spend Time With Family – If you’re like me and planning on getting out of dodge the second you graduate, this may be one of your last breaks you spend at home with your family. Take advantage of it – watch a movie with your mom, take granny on a walk, or plan a game night with the whole extended fam. Your family will love you for it, and you’ll feel better years down the road, knowing you spent some quality time with them before you ditched them after graduation.
4. Plan a Road Trip – I know I just preached the gospel of staying home for break, but seriously (and I know from experience) – you’re bound to get cabin fever at some point. For those in the Indianapolis area, these destinations are all within a four-hour driving distance: Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Chicago. I say pack up the car (or Megabus), hit the open road, and explore the world (or area immediately surrounding your hometown) around you. If you’re feeling innovative, go to this website (http://theshadowlands.net/places/) to find a haunted vacation destination. Or, go to this one (http://www.reserveamerica.com/) to find a campground (bonus points if it’s haunted).
5. Work on Your Fitness – With all the extra downtime you’ll have, Spring Break is a perfect time to get the gym, try a new exercise class, or attempt a diet that your friends at school might make fun of you for. I myself have always wanted to try the cleanse I saw on GOOP (that would be Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog for those not in the know), but unfortunately don’t have the resources necessary in my sorority house to complete it.
6. Recharge – Life in college is stressful, so make some time for yourself when you get home. Get your nails done, hair cut, a massage – whatever you need to do to erase the stress (and painful drunken memories) of the first part of the semester. While your classmates are binge drinking in Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll be at home relaxing and rejuvenating for the rest of the year. When you return to school, you’ll look and feel better than your sunburned, hung-over peers. Plus, you’ll be in top condition to rage for Little 500 qualifications – and that’s really all that matters, right?