The time that almost every student looks forward to is just around the corner. Spring Break is a time to take your daily stresses and put them to the side. These 7 days are some of the best days us college students look forward to. We are able to go to tropical places or even historical locations that we don't have the time to see during our jam-packed schedules throughout the year. It is our time to be kids and live our lives to the ultimate fullest, especially if the drinking age is +18. This jammed packed week of fun and games with our college friends, home friends or even family is one that we will never forget and look back on for the rest of our lives.

From cruises to lounging out on the beach to flying all the way to Barcelona, we college kids ensure that we hit every spot on the map in this short time period given to us. Once our fun has ended and it is time to go back to our reality, we realize how summer time is right ahead of us. Not only that but another year of college has passed.

Each and every spring break that happens is a marker of time that tells us college students that before we know it our last 7 days of fun will soon be a thing of the past. In due time, walking across the graduation stage to receive our diplomas will be something we remember. Take this not as a scare to you all but as a message to enjoy every waking moment you have with your friends over break. Before you know it, a week of nothing but free time won't be tangible anymore.

With the recent tragedies that have occurred, being thankful over break is something we all need to take into consideration. You weren't one of the kids whose lives were taken by the super tragic times of gun violence and problems throughout the United States. These children were first becoming someone as they figured out themselves, what their purpose in life was and who they wanted to be. They had a whole life ahead of them that they were looking forward too. A life they could spend with their acquaintances, friends, family, loved ones or anyone that crossed paths with them. They can no longer do that, but we can.

The ones reading this article can do better and should do better. As we do better, it is best we spend time with the ones who care and allow us to live life to the best of our ability.

Don't be afraid to be a leader, not a follower, or to do something out of the ordinary. It is okay to be yourself. We were all put on this planet to be someone. As you become your own person, always keep in mind the ones who don't have the same opportunities we do. So take your Spring Break and make it one of meaning and purpose. Live for the ones who can't and love for the ones who used to be able to.

Be #DouglasStrong