8. Play it safe!
You know, all the stuff your parents warned you about before you went to college totally applies here. Never accept a drink from a stranger or return to your own drink after it’s been left unattended. Don’t go to secluded places alone with someone you don’t know, don’t leave your valuables unattended or in the open, and keep an eye on your friends too while you’re at it! Every year, news stories crop up about spring breakers who have gone missing or ended up the victims of robbery and violence. Exercise basic precautions and you’ll be doing everything within your power to avoid becoming one of those news stories.
7. For God’s sake, wear sunscreen.
I know you want to get your bronze on and not be bothered rubbing lotion on yourself every few hours, but trust me, do it. Very few people go home from spring break without at least a mild sunburn, but a pink, peeling nose sure beats the hell out of gigantic blisters, excruciating pain, fever, and permanent damage to your skin.
Photo Credit: Giphy
6. Depending on where you’re vacationing, try to get a little bit of culture.
If you’re headed somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, check out what the local shops and restaurants have to offer. Learn a little bit about the history of the city you’re visiting, and talk to locals if the opportunity presents itself. Chances are, your spring break location is more than just a beautiful beach lined with fun drinking establishments. You might be surprised what you learn and see.
5. Go crazy, but not too crazy.
Spring break is a time to let loose and have fun. It’s not a time to try every illegal drug you’ve ever heard of, jump naked off the hotel balcony into the pool, and go home with a random townie who looks like Sean Kingston. You’re an adult now, so act like one…at least a little bit.
4. When budgeting for the trip, remember it will always be more expensive than you think.
With that in mind, have an extra cushion of cash or spending room on your credit card just to be safe. You don’t want to be stranded without funds or have to miss out on something exciting your last night in town because you ran over budget. Remember this when you’re planning your next trip, too. Don’t go somewhere you can just barely afford. Go somewhere that’s well within your budget so you don’t bankrupt yourself on one vacation.
3. Give yourself at least one recovery day before school starts again.
What is hell? Hell is catching the red-eye home while you’re still hungover, dragging your luggage through the apartment door and then realizing you have a full day of classes which begins in a few hours. Don’t do that to yourself. You’re going to want that day at home to recharge, sleep, and get everything in order for continuing with normal life.
2. While you’re away, try something you’ve always wanted to try.
Take a surfing lesson, eat some weird local cuisine, sing karaoke in front of strangers, or do something else that you’ve never done before. When you look back on this trip, you’ll forget all the drunken nights of partying and all the selfies you took on the beach, but you’ll remember the times you went out of your comfort zone and tried something just because you could.
1. Have a blast!
With all the representations of the “perfect” spring break in movies and television, it’s easy to put too much pressure on yourself to have the epic, over-the-top, raging time that you’re supposed to have. Don’t succumb to this pressure. If your idea of fun is lying on the beach and reading a book, then do that. If you want to get lost in a crowd of sweaty bodies on the dance floor, do that. It’s your vacation. Don’t let anyone else tell you how to spend it. Just let loose and have a ball!
