Spring break is usually the time where college kids get a nice sun-soaked break from the consistent papers and assignments. A nice stress relief from the overload of midterms the week before. Though, what would happen if you spent your break at home? What happens when you opt-out on that trip to Florida, that couple of days in South Carolina? One things for sure, you won’t be a as broke college student after some R&R.

There is nothing wrong with getting away! This is not an article bashing on trips that are paid for or the spontaneous getaway with some of your favorite people. Go ahead and take a trip! Though, keep some things in mind. Did you make enough or save enough money for trips like this specifically, or are you trying to rationalize using cash from savings? Most of the time, there is the chance that you have not been work during the school year, making you a full-time student with no consistent income. Even for those working, it usually goes straight towards tuition. What to pull from this is that planning trips is your best bet during college. Anything more than a weekend or day trip, should definitely be well planned out, in consideration of your funds.

Staying in your hometown during break is not a break to dread. There are two ways to spend that time. You can mope around while everyone is gone during the day, wishing you were in better weather, not making plans with anyone. OR you can connect with those you came home to.

Hit up those old friends that go to college around you. Make a dinner date or go spend lunch at their school, reconnect. You most likely haven’t seen them in months, or at least since Christmas break.

If you have siblings, be receptive to the time they want to spend with you. Especially younger siblings. It’s surprising just how much fun and memory making happens. It can be as simple as letting them read to you or putting them to bed. Or you can even spend a whole afternoon with them. Whether it be taking them to a movie, going to the park, or taking them out to lunch.

Spending quality time with younger siblings not only connects you as siblings, but also gives them a good role model to look up to.

There are some college students, like myself, that are very fortunate to not live long hours or even states away from my hometown. This is a blessing in disguise. College is a chance to get away and start off on our adult lives, as well as continuing an education. Even though it was a relief to move out of the house and have my own space, coming back to a family every then and now as greatly improved my relationship with my parents. By being away, they know they cannot control much of what goes on, which in turn has allowed a lot of trust to grow. This trust is magnified whenever I come home, with them not constantly grilling me on daily life, or asking the specific details when I go somewhere. These maybe some conversations that occurred during high school, ones that usually led to arguments. Now, there are not as many questions, meaning not as many arguments.

So maybe next year, spend a week at home. Reconnect and get in touch with what goes on around your family. The warmth from the beach is nice, but coming home can provide a warm welcome as well.