By Emily Ferro –
I’m sure that I don’t need to remind anyone, but spring break is coming up (in two days, but who’s counting?). While some students take this opportunity to hop on a plane and sink their toes into the sand, others are just content to go home and let school leave their mind for nine days straight.
Then there are some who would love to spend their time on the beach, but with flights costing more than ever, they are forced to remain grounded. Extravagant spring break vacations take a ton of planning, saving, and spending, and not everyone has the opportunity. This does not mean that they are doomed to be stuck with a spring break that is a bore.
College students are crafty and find plenty of ways to save every day, whether it is saving money on books by purchasing through Amazon, saving money on food by eating Ramen three times a week, or saving on gas by taking the trolley to campus. Since spring break only comes around once a year, students deserve to be pampered. Here are a few ideas to help the thrifty college student to go all out for spring break without having to empty out their wallet.
Day 1: Let the relaxation begin!
You survived the week, and the whole semester that came before it. Take a deep breath, put on your most comfortable sweat pants, and enjoy a home-cooked meal. After a day on the road driving home, snuggle up with a blanket and take comfort in the idea that nothing is due for the next week.
Day 2: Spa day.
Every girl loves a spa day. Getting nails done, getting a facial, nature sounds—the whole nine yards. The problem is, when you put everything together in one day, you’re talking big bucks. Unless, of course, you bring the spa home. Nail polish, salt scrubs, face masks and popcorn are all available at your local drug store, so take advantage of it. Invite some girl friends over and watch a late night chick flick. A slumber party is sure to follow.
Day 3: Breakfast for lunch.
Because of the slumber party which most likely involved very little sleeping, it’s unlikely that you’ll make it to breakfast. The obvious solution is a breakfast feast. For lunch. Breakfast usually tastes better in the afternoon anyway.
Day 4: S’mores!
Whether you have a fire pit in the back yard, a chiminea on the porch, or a grill on the patio, s’mores are a simple pleasure in life. Put on a sweatshirt, because it will definitely still be cold, and go sit by the fire and put together a tasty treat.
Day 5: Take a day trip.
Be it to a city or a museum or the aquarium, there are plenty of affordable day trips that cost way less than a plane ticket to Costa Rica, but with just as many fish.
Media Credit: MCT Campus - Silly Putty never stops being silly.
Day 6: Bring out the kid in you.
Being in school is stressful, and sometimes we need to remember how much fun it was to be young. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to do arts and crafts. Many of the things that entertained us as children would still entertain us now, and on top of that, they’re cheap. One of my favorite crafts when I was younger is one I have recreated more than once since entering college— Silly Putty. Requiring only Elmer’s glue and Borax (both available at the supermarket) this craft is also a science project, and very useful for relieving stress after spring break is over.
Day 7: Relax.
It wouldn’t be much of a spring break if you didn’t take a break. Pajamas all day is the way to go today. Day 8: St. Patrick’s Day. Green shirts, shamrocks, lucky charms and an all-Irish party are a must. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Whoever planned a holiday on spring break got it right.
Day 9: Back to School.
All good things must come to an end. Time to drive back to school and do all of that schoolwork that your teachers gave you and you completely neglected for the past eight days.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure it allows you the recuperation that is necessary by this time in the semester. On the beach or on the couch, be sure to catch your breath.
