College spring break options are more varied than beach vacations and pool parties. Whether your student already has an itinerary, hopes to pull off a last-minute adventure, or expects to spend spring break at home, here are fun ideas to share.
A trip doesn’t have to break the bank.
If your student already booked a trip, help them make a budget by estimating how much they will spend on food, drinks and entertainment each day and then encourage them to stick to it. Having a dollar amount in mind can help them avoid the shock of a low bank balance at the end of the week.
If they haven’t already reserved a hotel, they should consider staying somewhere with a kitchen so they can cook rather than going out for every meal. Or find lodging in a quieter locale where they’ll be able to experience local culture while avoiding the high prices of resort towns.
See below ("No plans yet?") for more low-cost suggestions.
Home can be as fun as traveling.
If your student attends school out of state, it’s likely they haven’t been home in a few months. If they are coming home for spring break, make the week special for both of you by acting like tourists in your hometown.
Get out of your neighborhood and find a new restaurant or two to try.
Make time for outdoor activities like hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, or skiing or snowshoeing if you live in a colder climate.
Plan a staycation for a few days in a nearby town.
You’ll enjoy spending time together in different settings. A local volunteer project you can do together is another way to make the break fun and meaningful.
Suggest your student not take a total vacation from their studies.
R&R is important, but we all know from experience that the weeks between spring break and finals go fast. Professors don’t always equate “break” with “vacation” — they often expect students to get extra work done, catch up on reading, or begin final projects or papers.
Just an hour a day of reading or studying over break can add up to major stress relief once your student is back on campus. Spring break travel time on planes, trains or buses is perfect for this.
Practical things your student might want to do over spring break:
Apply for summer jobs
Shadow someone who works in a field of potential career interest
Do their taxes!
Staying safe makes for a better vacation.
Safety isn't boring; in fact, it's essential to a good vacation. Your student will appreciate these tips more than they let on!
If traveling out of the country, guard valuables (passport, money, laptop etc.) closely. Hotel rooms often have a locking safe — use it! Make a photocopy of important documents and keep it in a separate location in case originals are lost or stolen.
Stick with your friends and always be sure someone knows where you’re going if you peel off from the group. Don’t go out alone a night or leave a place without a companion.
Be smart about what you post on social media and how you share your location through technology. Also be mindful of the message your posts and pictures send to future employers who may see your pages. Better yet, take a vacation from social media — immerse yourself in your experiences instead.
Drink a lot of water, especially if you’re out in the sun. If socializing will involve alcohol, follow the same safe partying rules you do on campus — drink in moderation, and keep track of your drinks and your friends. Never leave a drink unattended.
Write down the address and phone number of your hotel as well as the phone numbers of the friends you’re traveling with. Keep a copy with you in case your phone dies or gets lost or stolen, and leave a copy at home so we can contact you in an emergency.
Check in with us periodically. Let’s set up a phone (or Skype, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, etc.) date ahead of time.
No plans yet?
Your student can still pull together a fun-filled spring break on short notice.
Opt outside. Backpacking and camping are a lot less expensive than staying at a hotel. Though some popular destinations require permits that can be filled months or even years in advance, there are first-come, first-served or remote campgrounds across the country that aren't likely to be crowded. Canoeing, mountain biking and hiking are budget-friendly options. The recreation center or outdoor club at the university may even have gear for rent.
Road trip! Sharing gas costs is much cheaper than buying a plane ticket. Is there a destination not too far from their college they can aim for? Get out the atlas or pull up Google maps together. Maybe there are some off-the-beaten-track tourist attractions or historical sites along the way. Getting there will be half the fun.
There may be spaces left in “alternative” spring break programs (experiences that often involve service and which allow students to save money and make a difference — win win!).
Many students end up staying on campus for break — a day trip or two will make the week feel special.
Click the infographic to view full size.
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Amanda Rauhauser teaches writing at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR. She also tutors high school and college students through the national tutoring service, Varsity Tutors. Amanda graduated from Macalester College and earned a master's in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is passionate about improving equity in higher education and college access for disadvantaged students.
