Don’t Have Spring Break Plans? We’ve Got You Covered

By Hannah

Spring break is fast approaching, and since most schools scatter their vacations, some students may find themselves stuck at home. But even if you’re not hitting the slopes or playing on the beach, follow these five sure-fire ways to beat boredom and have just as much fun (if not more!) at home.

1. Plan a Road Trip and Visit Other Friends

The great thing about spring vacations in college is that, unlike Thanksgiving break, they’re not at the same time. And while that may be a good thing if you don’t want to awkwardly run into people from high school at your hometown bar, beat boredom and plan a mini-vacation to go visit your friends who are still in school. You’ll still get the feeling of being back at school, just on a different campus. Have them give you a tour of their favorite places to eat, drink and be merry. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, drive all the way to your state’s border, and pull a Mandy Moore in A Walk To Remember by being in two places at the same time. How cool is that?

2. Plan a Stay-cation

While you may be jealous at the people that are heading to South Padre or Panama City Beach over break, you can bring the beach to you without spending the huge price-tag on airfare and hotels. Google local tanning facilities in your hometown and get a spray tan, if available. This is an easy and safe way to add some color without stepping on a plane. Make your own tropical drinks (try these recipes from Food Network), put together a rockin’ island-themed playlist (to make it seem like you’re actually at the beach), lay out the beach chairs in your living room, pick up a trashy beach novel, and just relax. Be sure to add these five tunes on your beach-ready soundtrack:

“Brown Eyed Girl” Van Morrison

“Smooth” Santana featuring Rob Thomas

“Island in the Sun” Weezer

“California Girls” Katy Perry

“Soak Up the Sun” Sheryl Crow

3. Hit up the city hotspots

If you’re already bored of the same hometown places and have exhausted out the mall, venture to a new place! Take a day trip out to a city or town you’ve never been to before. Check out local guides for places to eat and shop and sites to see. Or, if you’re close to your nearest metropolitan city, take the train downtown with your friends and hit up the landmarks that make your city what it is. Be sure to also check out non-touristy places and hidden gems of the town to make your trip actually worthwhile.

4. Take Up a New Skill
You have ten days at home, and that is plenty of time to start something new. If you’ve been meaning to read “The Hunger Games” series before the first movie comes out on Mar. 23, now is the time, free your mind and get into a book you actually want to read. If you’re into scrapbooking, dig out old photos and get your creative juices flowing (and brainstorm would make a great Mother’s Day gift).

5. Volunteer

Make some extra money and put your time away from school to a good cause. Visit an animal shelter, tutor local high school kids, babysit your neighbors – the possibilities are endless. You know you’re not going to get any homework done at home, so donate your time and improve our society. Besides, you can use that hard-earned cash for a new spring wardrobe: at least the groundhog-predicted sandal season is only a few weeks away!

So, while your friends might brag to you about their amazing spring getaway, you’ll not only have a “back-from-the-beach-without-going-to-the-beach” glow, but also some cool experiences, and some money for the rest of the semester. Now that’s what I call a vacation.

Have any more tips to create the ultimate spring break at home? Share below!

[Lead image Brocreative/Shutterstock]