The clock finally strikes 2:40 and the sharp sound of the final bell pierces through our ears. Students run with a new bustling excitement out the doors of high school into the airy and temperate spring climate. It is finally spring break, one of the few times during the school year where students get an entire week to themselves. It is the perfect time to go on vacation and explore the things you don’t normally get to see in your mundane, repetitive, crammed, daily schedule. According to Psychology Today, after working for hours on end in order to meet certain academic expectations, “spring break offers a well needed mental stress break.” 

 Staying at home for the entire break is always the easiest option because it allows us to be inactive and comfortable in the luxuries of our own home. However, going on vacation offers exploration of new experiences, bonding with family or friends, and overall excitement that the average day in your own house cannot produce. 

It doesn’t matter whether your vacation destination is across the world or merely two hours away. You are still likely to learn and be exposed to something different. For example, going camping with your friends gives you time with the outside world and familiarizes you with skills such as fishing or boating. Even if camping is not exactly your thing, a well-planned vacation that includes visits to historical sites or national monuments is always a great opportunity to learn something interesting and broaden your perspective on history. 

Second of all, spring break is a great time to develop relationships with family or friends because of all the new memories you can create together. It is still possible to bond with people that are important to you while staying at home for spring break, but the time it takes to get to a vacation destination forces you to spend an extended period of time with your family or friends. This forces you to have longer conversations and understand each other better.  

Staying in a town as small as Portage can give people a very cozy and comfortable feeling, but it is important to leave your daily surroundings and explore either new cultures or a new type of atmosphere every once in a while. Whether this entails playing with dolphins down in Florida or exploring a traditional street or market, a vacation is always bound to give people joyous experiences.

The clock blinks at 2:00 on a Sunday, it is the last day of spring break. Will you look back on your break in regret, or in pride for the way your experience changed your life in a small, memorable way? 

Spring break is a breath of fresh air for all students. While some visit tropical beaches, others are having a staycation in their own home. Although the idea of a refreshing break warms the heart, is spring break the best time to go there? Most people have the fear of missing out when it comes to Spring break. Although a staycation might not come with an ocean view, there are many other benefits to staying home.

There is no doubt that spring break is supposed to be a time to rejuvenate and take a break from school. However, is planning a trip relaxing? If you think about it, planning a trip can take from 6 months to a year, not to mention all the money it costs to go on a trip. On average, a vacation to a southern state, like Florida or California, can cost $3,000 to $5,000. All that money and time spent, all just for one week in the sun. You could save the money you would’ve used on vacation for something with a higher priority in the future. 

I think most people can agree that large crowds get annoying really fast. No one likes their toes getting stepped on, drinks getting spilled on them, and obviously, the obnoxious screams of everyone else in the crowd. It’s almost like a concert, filled with sweaty people yelling in your ear. Sounds fun during the time we’re supposed to be relaxing, right? During spring break these crowds are everywhere, especially at night in the big cities. When you are at home, there are no large crowds to push you over. 

Although it sounds like a buzzkill, you could spend time organizing and cleaning during spring break. It’s been proven that having a clean environment can make one feel better about themselves and be more productive. With the SAT’s coming up, you could also use Spring break to study and prepare yourself. Unlike vacationing, both these activities are free. 

There are many other fun things to do during spring break. Hanging out with friends could be refreshing. It’s always nice to be able to catch up with your friends and do something fun with them. You could also do something as simple as making plans for a solo or group spa appointment or dinner at a fancy restaurant. You could even cook your own full course meal or learn some new recipes. Some hotels or shops even have staycation specials. Almost every hotel also has a pool or hot tub to add to the experience. Making a DIY project or getting crafty is a way to bring out your creative side. A nice day out could be relaxing, fun, and cheap while still feeling like a real vacation. 

Spring Break is meant to be a time to relax no matter where you are. It doesn’t have to be a crazy expensive experience in order for it to be fun or relaxing. Staying home for spring break can always be fun even if you’re not in the sun. So next time you are home for the break, take advantage of it and enjoy yourself.