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efore coming to college, our impression of college spring breaks involved sun, soak, sand, and the occasional MTV camera guy videotaping our happenings. While on break we would theoretically enjoy quality time by the pool at a resort on a tropical Caribbean island with our best friends, stress-free and loving every minute of our lives! We would have an unexpected rendez-vous on the beach with a cutie from the pool that we had just met hours before. We would go to sleep at sunrise and wake up just in time to get a good tan while the sun is still nice and bright. We would have memories that last a lifetime, the trip being a highlight of college.
Obviously, some or all of what I just said did happen for some college students. But from what I have gathered, a lot of people spent spring break, simply put, not being quite as wild and awesome. Many students went on alternative spring breaks, volunteering time and service to nations in need. Others went on vacations with family or visited friends at other colleges still in session. And then there were people like me who spent the break at home.
Despite my lack of excitement over break, I was definitely productive. I did homework, figured out what classes I wanted to take next semester, and applied for about eight summer retail jobs. I met up with college friends twice, venturing down to Seaside and to the city. All in all, it was a successful break as far as figuring out my near future is concerned. But was my break the way spring break should be? When it comes down to expectation versus reality, my break would be considered a letdown.
Thanks to constant television coverage, like MTV’s Spring Break, and overall media exposure, we are conditioned to believe that college kids let loose over break, relieving all school-related and social stress. However, life is not one giant MTV special. Yes, spring breaks can be as scandalous as what we see on MTV, but they can also be like mine. Comparing my spring break to this MTV-manufactured spring break ideal, I was fairly stressed, still dealing with weather below 60 degrees, and law abiding. However, I did have the opportunity to relax at certain points throughout the week, hang out with friends, and, most importantly, sleep.
Though my break was not as wild and crazy as it allegedly should have been, I enjoyed my time at home. I know a lot of TCNJ students were in similar situations as me, filling PAWS shopping carts and doing work, weighing options for the future. My break may not have been the highlight of my college career, but I definitely can say it was a decent break. It was much more eventful than I was expecting thanks to day trips. It was also extremely productive and I love the feeling of accomplishment.
But… Next year, I could definitely go for spending a week at the beach!
Julia will be charting the course of freshman year here at TCNJ, giving voice to her fellow first-year collegiettes and bring back memories for our upperclasswomen. Comment below if you have a suggestion for Julia to write about!