I type this as I sit in the middle of my living room, looking outside to see the snow melt from the trees and rooftops. I think of my peers going away for spring break, going to see the vistas in California, trekking out to Texas, visiting families residing from as far as Ireland, Italy, Norway, and further on. By now as I type this, many of them will have boarded their flights and gone on their merry way, for on either the trip of a lifetime, or just a simple visit to grandma’s.

Meanwhile I’ll be stuck working on assignments: readings, essays, media projects that I’ll have to get to early so I won’t regret not doing it by the next weekend. Rather than relaxing on the beach, listening to the waves crashing upon the shore, I’ll be waking up to the morning winter winds blowing across my windows as the snow creeps up in my view.

I’m probably being envious of the fact they are able to go with their friends and families away for their trips, that they get to at least explore before going back to class in a week. After a week of midterms, I could surely use a nap on a hammock under the shade.

But there’s something in me that tells me to not worry about it. In fact, anyone else who’s staying at home for spring break shouldn't fret one bit. For instead of being able to explore cities and go camping with friends, we have both time and flexibility. This extra time’ll come in handy when there’s work to take care of early, and the flexibility to quickly go from getting some R&R to work mode, without the distraction of vacation time.

But what’s most important about staying home is the chance to finally catch up on what’s been put off during midterm season. From catching up with friends, to starting on where you left off in a passion project, to finally finishing up that book, do yourself a favor and get back to what you’ve put off now during spring break. Yes, though we’d rather go out and see the world, nothing else in the world beats checking off long-stalled plans.

So to anyone that’s planning to travel to visit family, take in new sights, relax on a beach, etc., may you have a restful and fulfilling retreat. Make the most of your short time on vacation, wherever you are. You’ll never know where the time is until it's gone.

But to anyone who stays, treat yourself whenever you can, but get down to that business as soon as you can during spring break. Trust me when I say that you’ll thank yourself as you go to bed on time the night before going back to college.