Cruising, Skydiving, and Earning Money - How to Have a Great Spring Break

If you have been spending the last few months buried in textbooks and snow, you have probably been dreaming of where to go for spring break. Whether you want the typical sun, sand and surf vacation or something more adventurous, there are plenty of options. And you don't have to be rolling in money, either. There are plenty of options for the budget conscious, and there are even ways to get paid while on vacation!

Did you spend your high school years watching the college kids party on MTV's Spring Break coverage? For a similar experience, you can try one of the "party cruises". You'll be able to sail around the Bahamas and while they may seem pricey up front, these are typically all-inclusive, so the price you pay will include your room, food, and drinks. Plus, there will be lots of entertainment and activities planned. Not to mention, there will be around 1,300 other college kids ready to party!

If you get sea sick or just prefer to be on land, there are still many other all-inclusive resorts that can offer you the same environment. You will typically find these all-inclusive resorts in places such as Mexico, the Bahamas, or Jamaica. You will want to check with your travel agent about which documents you will need (passports, etc). Again, there will be options for entertainment as resorts specialize in providing people a good time.

For those that want to try something more adventurous, talk to a travel agent or search online for packages that include things like skydiving, scuba diving, hot air ballooning or canoeing over raging rapids. If you are going to try something new, make sure the package includes lessons.

Humanitarians can spend their spring break helping others abroad or in the U.S. There are many places and projects that need volunteers - you can do anything from teaching English, to assisting health care professionals to building schools and homes, and that is just to name a few. Not only will you spend your vacation doing something productive, you will also have something to add on your resume.

Road trips are a great option for the budget conscious. Yes - gas can be expensive, but plane tickets can get costly, too! Do the math and see if it is cheaper to drive. Plus, you can choose to stay at motels with reasonable rates, or, if you are a nature lover, you can camp at state parks. Do a little research before you leave for your trip; when it comes to sight-seeing, there are many low-cost and interesting options.

It is also possible to turn your vacation into a way to earn some extra cash. Do some research before you leave; you could find work promoting products at events for national or local companies. This could be anything from handing out free t-shirts at the pool or some other kind of swag at a nighttime party. Yes, you'll be working, but you will still be "out in the action", meeting people and having a good time.

Most importantly, get creative. Think about the different places you would like to visit, the different things you would like to do. Math may not be your favorite subject, but once you have some ideas of how you would like to spend your spring break, do some budgeting and figure out what would be most feasible. If you cannot afford something this year, maybe you can during the summer. And don't forget - it isn't too early to start planning for next year.