How to survive Spring Break
After counting down the days, Spring Break is just around the corner. Visions of no class, late nights and sleeping in are a thrill for every student, but some planning and a little work can go a long way to make Spring Break more than just survivable.
Ali Hyde, senior majoring in family finance, said students should plan ahead to enjoy Spring Break.
“Whenever you’re budgeting time or money you should have a goal so you can have fun,” she said. “I am going to Disneyland, so I am looking far ahead so I can relax.”
Hyde said she and her husband have been saving $30 from every paycheck to put towards the trip. Hyde said it is easier to do it that way than to pay a big lump sum at one time.
Sam Nelson, also a senior in family finance, said he agrees that preparation is the smart thing to do.
“It’s a lot cheaper to plan and pay for a vacation in advance. Waiting to plan trips last minute is more expensive and it is easier to come up with fun ideas in advance,” she said.
Nelson said she is a fan of Hotwire.com, where flights and hotels are offered cheaper, especially in advance. Nelson and her husband spent $500 on plane tickets to go to Florida for break, where they will stay with in-laws so it will be “dirt cheap.” They booked tickets two months in advance, which Nelson said is considered later booking.
Jennifer Jenkins, senior in family finance, said visiting family is a way to have an affordable vacation.
“Visiting family is a cheap, good way to spend break because usually when you go home, mom and dad feed you,” she said.
Jenkins also said for people that want to get outdoors, KOA campgrounds currently offers good deals because it is not the summer season. The Outdoor Recreation Center rents out bikes and other equipment.
“Sometimes it is just fun to go have a picnic,” Hyde said.
For the less outdoorsy folks, Jenkins said roommates could chip in to go stay at a hotel one night with a swimming pool, and have a girls’ night. A change of scenery and complimentary breakfast are fun, too.
For married students, Hyde said the Anniversary Inn, located on Center Street, offers students a half-off deal for Sunday and Monday stays.
But for students who haven’t planned anything, Jenkins said it is still possible to enjoy the break.
“You should take at least one day and just sit on your butt and watch TV,” she said. “You can’t spend your entire break on work or assignments, but you should budget your time and money for break. I know I am always going to have a lot of work to do that could use my entire break, but I have allotted my work days and my play days.”
Hyde said she is getting all of her to do list done before break, so she can just relax.
Nelson agreed that getting in as much now as possible in order to have less to worry about over break is more fun for her, but admitted that some people who procrastinate probably won’t let their forgotten to-do list bother them.
One item on the agenda Hyde, Jenkins and Nelson agreed upon, was the Spring Break sleeping schedule – staying up late and sleeping in.
“You’re on vacation, so you shouldn’t set an alarm clock. Stay up late while you can,” Hyde said.
Students who are looking for help on managing their budget or their time, or just looking for ideas of what to do for break can visit the Family Life Center located on campus.
–storee.powell@aggiemail.usu.edu