When you hear the words, "spring break," an image of college students partying somewhere on a beach comes to mind. Don't deny this stereotypical, yet highly sought after image. I mean come on, there have been multiple movies made about this exact topic, let's not forget 2012's "Spring Breakers" where a cast of old Disney stars revealed they weren't kids anymore.
Going for a week to somewhere warm and sunny before digging down into finals territory really doesn't sound too bad, however for some of us, me included, spring break did not go this way. I, like others before me, did the dreaded "staycation" going home for the entire spring break. Though I can't deny the fact that this is not as exciting as traveling somewhere tropical, it doesn't have to be so bad simply being home. So, before you cry about missing out on crazy parties, or become ultra jealous of all those beach Instagram pictures keep these tips and ideas in mind so you can celebrate the staycation.
1. Congratulate yourself on saving a ton of money.
It can cost upwards of $500 for flights to Florida, and if you are planning on going south of the border, this price increases even more. That is just the flight alone, now take into consideration the expenses of hotels, food, and probably a whole lot of drinks. That adds even more money to this list and by the end of spring break, the term "broke college student" will get taken to an entirely new level. Those of us who didn't make the trip, maybe because we couldn't afford it in the first place (raises hand), just saved a lot of money by eating our parents groceries and not paying for a place to stay. For people like myself who don't like to spend huge sums of money often, this is definitely a benefit of the staycation.
2. Take time to be lazy in the comforts of your own home.
If you travel for spring break, chances are you will be looking for the latest party, exploring a new city, and staying out late. By the end of the week, time to relax may have been more minimal than you would have liked. Now, perhaps I'm just kidding myself but there is something to be said about sleeping in your own bed, in your own home. I always find myself being able to have sounder sleep than I would in college. Plus, being able to relax in a familiar environment maximizes comfort levels. If you allow yourself to take a little time to catch up on sleep, a staycation can be a great antidote to stress.
3. Explore your own city, and appreciate it a little more.
Often, people may look at their hometowns with a mix of nostalgia as well as the thought that they could never picture themselves living there forever. The reason for this is often boredom. The place where a person grows up can become so familiar that it loses its excitement, and that is why people like to travel for spring break. However, if while on a staycation you take the time to explore your own city or town a little bit more, perhaps you will find something new, unexpected, or interesting about it that will give you some appreciation for being home.
While home this spring break, I visited Presque Isle and the local beaches on Lake Erie. Though it may not be an ocean view, it is something unique to my town. Not to mention the fact that the sunsets are beautiful, and beach glass is plentiful. I also found that my town had opened many restaurants that served food from different countries which surprised and excited me as I was used to restaurants serving American staples. By trying out these new experiences, and exploring familiar ones I made the best of being home and appreciated my ton for providing them.
4. Visit your family, you know they miss you.
If you go to college far away, or simply haven't been home in awhile, make your staycation worthwhile to your family members and spend some quality time with them. This is something you wouldn't get if you traveled, but is extremely valuable in your relationships with your family. By taking the time to see grandparents, cousins, or maybe even old friends you can relax and catch up with those who mean the most. Plus, you can leave your spring break with a good conscience and not feel so guilty about not talking to family in awhile.
5. Reunite with your pets.
If a dog or any other pet comes onto a college campus, watch out -- it will be swarmed. As college students we don't get to see our pets or have any on campus, so any opportunity to be able to see one is precious. However, it is not as precious as the reuniting you have once home with your dog, or cat or whatever creature you call your own. For a week you can live in bliss with your favorite furry friend, and of course take lots of pictures to counter the other spring break ones of people who traveled.
If by choice, or not, you had to stay home during spring break, don't let it get you down, there is plenty of time to travel for breaks in later years, and even if not appreciate the beauty of the staycation by following my tips.
