With spring break on the horizon, excitement is at an all-time high. For college students, it offers an escape from the familiar frenzy. Spring break should be a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. However, this isn’t always the case. Anticipation and anxiety often precede the long-awaited week. Flights are expensive, Airbnb reviews are questionable, and everyone else seems to know exactly what their plans are.
I first heard whispers of spring break planning in October. And, though the coveted week was months away, I felt stressed. Groups were forming left and right, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to a trip six months in advance. After a few months of indecision, my roommate and I decided to stray from the large group trip we kept hearing about. Instead, we planned to go to Florida for a few days, and I cannot wait. Once we booked the trip, I realized I had no interest in joining the entire second-year class in Punta Cana.
I know my experience is far from unique. Anxieties surrounding spring break are common and valid. However, it is important to remember what it is: a break. It’s not the end of the world if the plans never make it out of the group chat or if the whisperings of October don’t come to fruition. Having no plans at all may seem isolating – especially amid others’ excitement – but it doesn’t have to be. Going home for the week sidesteps the question of accommodations, travel plans, and friend groups. Spending time with your family or friends at home offers the perfect conditions for relaxation.
Even in the right setting, taking a break is not always easy. If your week is more low-key, it can be tempting to use spring break as an opportunity to catch up on work. I often feel uncomfortable with nothing to do during long breaks; I catch myself looking for ways to fill my time and feel guilty for not matching my usual productivity levels. It may be a smart idea to make a rule for yourself: avoid looking at schoolwork for at least a day or two. Just because you may not be have more time on your hands, it does not mean your time should be spent on schoolwork!
However, if your spring break does involve multiple flights and a passport, relaxation is still vital! Trips can sometimes be more draining than rejuvenating, especially when you want to capitalize on your time there. Wherever you end up next week, enjoy yourself! You deserve it! Personally, I will not be opening my computer all week.