1. The unproductive week before. Just as it sounds, the week before spring break is perhaps the most unproductive, mind-numbingly painful span of time before paradise arrives. The snow is melting, the temperature is warming up, and the last thing on your mind is the quiz you have to take or the shift you have at work. You want beaches and drinks, and you want them NOW.
2. The energized drive. You might not always be a fan of long car rides, but if it’s with your best friends on a journey to a spring break destination of sunshine and rainbows, it’ll definitely be more enjoyable. Break out the snacks, break out the juice boxes, and hit play on that Spotify playlist you specifically made for the trip. It’s about to be a long ride!
3. The “Are we there yet?” stage. So the snacks may have run out. The playlist may be getting old. Or maybe you feel like smacking your friend if they decide to sing along to “Shake it Off” just one more time. In either case, you’ve reached the stage where you simply can’t handle the car ride. For the love of God, are we there yet?!
4. The “WE’RE HERE” moment. There’s nothing quite like the moment when you finally arrive to your SB destination. Spirits are high and you’ve got super high hopes that this spring break will perhaps be the most epic one in history. You’re ready to begin the shenanigans and nothing, and I mean nothing, can stand in your way.
5. DRINKS. Vodka and bourbon and beer, oh my! Let’s be real, you’re probably going to drink everything under the sun on your week long messy adventure. Beer pong on the beach? Sure! Shots in the condo? Of course! Ladies night at the bar? You are so there! It’s time to put on your big girl or big boy pants and handle it like a champ. Oh, and don’t forget to document the night with pictures on your phone for a #TBT or #latergram next week.
6. The recovery. The morning after a long night out partying could make you the ultimate struggle bus. You shower off your shameful behavior from the night before, chug a couple glasses of water, and crack open an ice-cold beer. Because what better way to cure a hangover than with more alcohol? It’s spring break for heaven’s sake. These are the big leagues. No time for stragglers.
7. The blur that is spring break. Everything that happens between the first night and the last quickly becomes a blur in your head. All you have are the pictures on your phone and bits and pieces of what went down. The trash can is full of alcoholic beverages and the sink is full of dishes from really unhealthy food. It sounds like a mess, but it was perhaps one of the most entertaining weeks you’ve ever experienced.
8. The “I’m never drinking again” stage. When the week is over, you swear to yourself that you’re never consuming a single drop of alcohol again. Just the thought of it makes you queasy inside. The week was great, but it’s time to put alcohol on the back burner. (So you say, at least.)
9. The longest drive of your life. With the end of the craziest week of the year comes the drive that seems to last a lifetime. You may be eager to get back home, but you’re heading back to reality and leaving paradise behind. You actually have to go to class and go to work like a normal human being. No more day drinking and nightly adventures for a consecutive week. You stare out the window and sigh, perhaps even shed a tear after every state line you cross.
10. The final stage. You get home and rest for a little bit. You sit with your roommates and chat about the week you just experienced. Then, you suddenly feel super energized. You crack open and beer, even though you said you were never drinking again, and head out for a night on the town with your crew. Because you realized spring break doesn’t have to end. Because you’re in college, and what happens in college, stays in college.
