Spring break is a fun and necessary time for students to get off-campus and take a needed break from studying.

However, there are right and wrong ways to go about spring break. I have compiled a list of a few things to do and not to do when going on #springbreak.

What you should do:

1. Relax

Classes can take a toll on students physically and mentally. Spring break is a dedicated time away from the stressors of college life, so take that and run with it.

This is a week where students should let their minds completely shut off. The gears have been pumping for weeks and need time to cool down.

I recommend students go sit on a beach, take some naps, binge-watch a TV Show like “New Girl” (which is being taken off of Netflix, so watch it while you can), play some video games or just scroll on social media. Do whatever possible to turn the brain off.

2. Be safe

Some students might want to go on crazy adventures and make spring break a week to remember. That’s all fine and dandy, but please be careful.

Especially those who travel for spring break, travel in groups and generally watch out for shady stuff. Spring breakers are often targets of theft and violence because they turn their brains off from being academic weapons. Please still be mindful of where you are and what you are doing.

3. Document the experience

Spring break is meant to be a time to unwind and have fun. I recommend taking pictures or videos of what you end up doing, at least to look back on when you get back to campus and miss the free time.

College is meant to be a memorable experience, so make sure to capture some highlight moments to look back on. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion.

What you shouldn’t do:

1. Spend a lot of money

Students need to remember that they are still students on spring break. After the week is over, everyone has to go back to campus and you’ll need money to handle the basic costs of living.

According to lendingtree.com, the average college student spends $620 on spring break. If that is your cup of tea, go for it. However, don’t spend your hard-earned money in one week if you don’t have to.

We are still ballin’ on a budget so don’t forget to save for the trips to the T-Store or Oakwood Mall.

2. Make a packed schedule

Spring break is meant to be a time for students to get away and take some needed time off-campus. However, if students try to pack the week full of activities they will get overwhelmed and burnt out before getting back to campus.

Spring break is a time to relax, so make sure you plan time to unwind. Don’t run around trying to accomplish all these goals and activities in one week, you’re going to need some energy to get back to school.

3. Look at your school email

Spring break is dedicated time off campus, so there should be no reason to be checking emails or Canvas during this week. Students have the responsibility to make sure they have all their work done in the days leading up to spring break so they can leave school at school.

For your mental health, please do not look at assignments or emails during spring break. Crunch out all your work the week before so you can be free to ignore school and unwind.

Those are my general tips for spring break. You really have the choice to do what you want with your time, but don’t go overboard because you’ll eventually have to mosey back to UW-Eau Claire.

Fisher can be reached at [email protected].