Opinion
Staying active for week of spring break
March 14, 2014
Spring break starts Friday, March 14, after classes, and it is time to plan how we are going to spend it.
Some people look forward to a cruise, others to watching their favorite baseball team in a spring training game or some even skiing in the mountains. However, a lot of us are not quite lucky enough to pack our bags and fly somewhere warm or adventurous. We are left sitting at home, diligently searching for something, anything, to keep ourselves occupied. Luckily, this is a good time to get creative and think of several fun activities throughout the week. You will forget that you had to miss out on going somewhere warm.
One activity that is fun to do over spring break is trying out new recipes. Whether you are making dinner for the family or cookies for close friends, it is a good learning experience. Recipes can be found in every nook and cranny of the Internet.
Pinterest is an especially great place to find new recipes, even unique ones you did not know about. Due to the majority of our spring break still being in winter, a casserole, or hot dish if you are a trustee Minnesotan, such as a chicken or tater tot casserole, is definitely a good route to take for a relaxing family dinner. A warm dessert, such as brownies or hot chocolate, is sure to warm the hearts of those around you, as cheesy as it sounds.
Another activity to try next week is volunteering. Often people make the excuse that there are not enough opportunities to take advantage of, but there are a lot more than you think. You just have to search for them.
Group homes, especially ones catering to autistic adults, are always looking for volunteers to do fun activities with their residents. The typical places like Feed My Starving Children, the Humane Society and the Salvation Army have numerous locations and appreciate anyone’s time. Other places that frequently need volunteers include churches, hospitals and schools. While volunteer work does not offer a paycheck, it offers that feeling that you made a difference in someone’s life, even if only for a week. So search for an opportunity, because they are all around us.
A third activity is to organize a time to get together with friends. Even if high school friends have a different spring break, it could be fun to organize a trip to go visit them. It is a great opportunity to catch up and check out their college town. You could even meet up with college friends who also did not go anywhere by doing something fun such as seeing a movie, going on a bike ride, having a sleepover or walking around a mall.
At school, work piles up and it is not always so easy to make time for your friends and a social life. During spring break, it is easier to find that extra time to do something that you all find fun.
These are only a few of the many opportunities you have over spring break. Even if you have no plans, it is better to keep an open mind about what you can do rather can sit at home bored all day. If you are not taking a trip, you are not the only one. Many people are in the same situation and are in need of making good use of their time.
If none of these suggestions fit your interests or personality, there are always suggestions online or a family member willing to suggest something, because the “I’m bored” complaint drives parents crazy. Travel plans or not, enjoy your spring break, everyone!
Cristin Dempsey is an English major and music minor from Eagan, Minn. She enjoys writing, playing the flute and swimming. After college she would like to pursue a career as an editor.