Spring break is that one week of solace we look forward to every year. It's become one of those things depicted in movies to be something outrageous, full of drunken mistakes in those sunshine filled places. But spring break comes in many forms, and I'm lucky to have experienced a whole bunch of them. The thing about spring break, though, is that it's not always based around a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, and this means that once school is over, the opportunity for spring break vacations is gone along with it. Now, while that sounds quite dramatic it's true that spring break post-grad is never the same.

After 17 years of school spring breaks, I just had my last. The week off was just what I needed to escape from the classroom. Surprisingly enough, I learned some things off campus while in the warm Florida sun.

1. Letting Your Guard Down Is Good.

Vacation is usually a place to let your guard down because you're away from your usual atmosphere and, typically, surrounded by total strangers. For some people, it's easy to let their guard down. In fact, some people never even have their guard up. That's not the case for someone like me. If you're like me, you want to have your life together at all times. You don't like to be embarrassed (or do anything embarrassing in public), and you have a hard time doing things out of the usual. Doing things that scare you, or make you feel uncomfortable, and just saying screw it and doing it anyway is what vacations are great for. Afterwards, you'll be glad you did it.

2. Going With The Flow Is Not As Hard As You Think.

I always like to have a plan. I like to know what I am doing, when I am doing it, where I am doing it and how I am doing it. When you've got a type A personality and you're away from your usual routine, there's pressure to start planning out your vacation the way you plan out your life. But the thing is, sometimes it's not so bad to say, "Let's just see how we feel when we get there" because once you start letting go of the plan, little by little, it gets easier to go with the flow, and life becomes a lot less stressful.

3. Appreciate Everything You Have.

Going on a vacation gives you a new perspective on how lucky you are to be away for a little while, and also, how lucky you are to have something to get away from. It's kind of nice to know that you're lucky enough to have classes or a job to escape from. It's also nice to know that you're fortunate enough to take a break. I spent my spring break exploring the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" and riding the roller coasters at Universal Studios. I spent evenings relaxing in the hot tub and days in the sun sipping frozen cocktails. But not everyone gets to go on vacation. Some people save up for years. Some people only go once. Getting away is just a reminder of how much good you have in your life. So, think about how lucky you are the next time you check into a hotel, and appreciate everything you have.

4. Overpack, Always.

I'm not ashamed to say that I own a lot of stuff. A lot of clothes. A lot of shoes. A lot of makeup, moisturizers, and hair care products. Just stuff. I get flak for it from everyone. My mom, my boyfriend and my friends all make fun of the amount of stuff I have overtaking my room regularly. So, I somehow try to make up for my almost hoarder-like personality when I pack for a trip trying to pack as lightly as possible. Don't pack light. Who cares what anyone says about your packing habits. Overpack and make sure you have everything you could possibly need. There is nothing worse than packing for warm weather only to be surprised with chilly weather instead.

5. Choose Your Company Wisely.

I spent my spring break with my sister. I have to admit I was nervous at first as we're more likely to be arguing than getting along. But I wouldn't have done it any other way. A vacation is quite a bit of time to spend with someone. You need to go with people you're going to be able to handle spending all day and all night with. Despite my concerns, going with my sister was easy and effortless — the perfect combination for a week away. Choosing your company wisely is the best way to ensure that if you're looking for a fast-paced, wild and crazy week, your crew is down for that. It also means if you want to have a leisurely, read-a-book-by-the-water and tan kind of trip, you're all on the same page. Sometimes you just assume going on a trip with a bunch of people is going to be great, or going on a trip with just one person isn't going to be exciting enough. But as cliche as it sounds, it's about the quality of your company, not the quantity.

And with that I say, farewell, spring break. You were great, and you will be missed. Thanks for the memories.