1. It's all in the planning
Planning your trip to the beach probably started weeks in advance, and you and your group figured out the logistics way ahead of time which in turn made everyone impossibly excited. Transportation? Check. Playlists? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Every tank top and pair of sunglasses you own? Check.
2. The drive
Road trips are pretty hit and miss, but this one is epic because it's with your best friends. You pass the aux chord around for hours while taking turns driving, getting closer and closer to that sweet sunny paradise. Sure, the drive is tiring, but you'll have all the time you need to relax upon arrival.
3. Check-in
Finally, you've made it to whatever beach-side condo you and your squad will be frequenting for the next week. You get to your room and mark your territory. This couch? That's mine. General housekeeping commences (unpacking, getting groceries, etc.), and everyone gets settled in and excited for the days ahead.
4. First few days on the beach
You wake up and throw on your bathing suit. After proper preparation, everyone heads to the beach to meet up with the others (schoolmates, fraternity/sorority brothers, that friend from high school). Everyone is there for a great time. This totally makes up for those all-nighters you put in for midterms. In the subsequent days after you're all getting the hang of it, except for that one guy in your group who got the bad sunburn after the first day even though you told him SPF 20 wasn't protective enough. You're into the beach. Like, really into it. "Spring Break 2015!" turns into "Spring Break forever!" and you never want to leave. The days blend together and you lose yourself to a relaxing, tranquil state of no responsibilities.
5. Mid-week
Ok, you've been going at this for a few days now. You wake up every morning and do a roll call of your group to make sure the beach didn't actually consume anyone. All the memories you've made are starting to catch up with you, and it's taking a toll on you physically. Every part of you is screaming "detox day" but your best friend is screaming, "Let's get to the beach!" as he hands you your tank top and sunglasses. You can do it another day. In the name of spring break, you can do it another day.
6. The last few days
It seems that your group is getting a later and later start every day. What day is it? Who knows? You've had such a great week so far, but you're exhausted. Never in your life have you simultaneously loved everything and hated everything so much. At this point, spring break has taken over and you're going to ride it out until it's time to go.
7. The last day
You have one last day to take it all in. No matter how tired you are, you realize that you are about to trade in sand and beach sunsets for papers and exams. At that point, you can take a man out of the beach, but you'll never take the beach out of a man. How are you supposed to adjust back to real life after a prolonged taste of the sweet nectar that is a week at the beach? Well, it's time to throw everything in the car and hit the road. Those hours home will be easily filled with conversations about the crazy week behind you. You begin your withdrawal phase knowing Monday morning is going to hit you like a train.
You won't be able to wait for next year.
