I am a sickly Victorian child who hates the sun. That is precisely why I’m staying home for spring break, and you should too.
Obviously, I’m joking, but I am going home for spring break this year. While my friends will be out in the sunshine of Tulum, Mexico or on stunning ski trips in Vail, Colorado, I chose to book a flight home to Middle-of-Nowhere, Pennsylvania for a week. And while it’s not the “spring break” we’re used to seeing, going home might just be the spring break we deserve.
It’s no secret that college can be extremely overwhelming. Between friend drama, college relationships, and a mountain of midterms and schoolwork, the time before spring break can be stressful, to say the least. Why would I want to add onto that by planning plane tickets, finding a hotel, picking a group of people who won’t murder each other on a crowded beach in Florida, and ending every night holding back some girl’s hair in a public restroom?
And why would I want to be on spring break anyway? I hate sand. It’s like glitter but made of rocks. It gets stuck in every little crevice and never seems to wash away. Clubs suck: They’re sweaty, everyone is drunk, and someone will throw up on your shoes. And as for snowy spring break plans? Why would I want to be cold on vacation?
But when you’re home, all of that pressure is gone. You can lay in bed, mooch off of your parents’ fridge, and feel like a celebrity whenever you see an underclassmen at your high school. Not to mention, you’re getting a break from those on-campus dining options and mid cafeteria food. Now’s the time to savor those hot, home-cooked meals you’ve missed during your time at college. Don’t lie — I know you’re tired of cup noodles for dinner every night, bestie.
But aside from all of the superficialities and cliches, going home for spring break can also give you an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and your roots. It’s extremely common to lose yourself in the hubbub and chaos of college life, and spending a few days around some of the people that shaped you, in the place that molded you, can provide you with a better understanding of yourself.
If you’ve found yourself drifting away from hometown relationships during your time at school, spring break may even be the time to mend them. Whether you’re connecting with an old friend, rekindling an old flame, or wanting to spend more time with your family, spring break is a great opportunity to gain closure or strengthen the relationships in our life.
You can feel lonely and lost when you go to college. In fact, many of us do. In a 2017 survey by the American College Health Association of 48,000 students, 64% said they had felt “very lonely” in the previous 12 months. Similarly, 62% of students also reported feeling “overwhelming anxiety,” and 53% reported that they felt as if “things were hopeless.” By spending time resting and relaxing, you might be able to quell these feelings in an environment that is safe and familiar. According to Highland Springs Clinic, spending face-to-face time with family can help decrease depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses due to the strengthening of your emotional support system.
While going to Cabo and partying on the slopes can be a memorable experience, putting your mental and physical health first this spring break is completely valid. Sand or snow, if the spring break party scene isn’t up your alley, there’s nothing wrong with booking that flight home. I know I’ll be living my best life eating my mom’s homemade lumpia, binge-watching Ms. Maisel with my best friend, and separating myself from the college craziness for just a little while rather than stumbling through Miami.
And not having to pay for laundry, obvi.That makes it all worth it.