Planning an Inexpensive Spring Break for College Students

Spring break is fast approaching, but your bank account balance quickly confirms what you already suspected: you are unable to make that trip to Hawaii. Darn. Does that mean that you and your friends can't enjoy themselves over the one break we get before finals? Of course not! It may be lonely on campus, but that just means that you're free to roam - and free to have as much fun as you like.

Start with your budget. If you have enough to take a short road trip, by all means, do it! Gas is inexpensive this spring, and analysts predict that it may hit $3 again this summer. Now is the time to go see the Redwoods, or finally go to the Mall of America with your friends. It may not be an island in the middle of the Pacific ocean, but you'd be amazed what you can do with a small budget. The more friends you can get together, the smaller the cost will be for each individual person.

Have a movie marathon. Sure, it's been done before, but you've got to stay current with the new releases! The Oscars aired in February, and spring break is a great opportunity to watch some of the films you've heard about but never seen. Slumdog Millionaire took home many of the treasured statues, so perhaps that's worth a shot? This is also a great opportunity to invite over some friends, cook themed food, and keep the budget simple. Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Indiana Jones marathons please both the guys and the girls, and these are possible in your hometowns or at the dorms.

Take a little bit of creative license. Find a camera (film or digital), and wander! The funny thing about college towns is that they have a vibrancy you can only find when thousands of students come together. Spring is a beautiful time to take pictures, and many towns have suffered from natural disasters this past spring - which is a fantastic photo opportunity if nothing else. Many college graduates regret taking more pictures, because they don't have anything to show their kids from when they were young. Use your spring break to capitalize on your talents. You can get a few friends together and take glamour shots or just capture your surroundings. Make a day of it - plan to go to some places you've heard of but never been to. This is ideal for those of us don't have cars on campus.

Have a week filled with ethnic food. You might not be able to travel to India, but you can sure try some Indian food. The same thing applies to Greece, Thai, and China. Trying something new can be as easy as a few bites of tofu.

Work on your resume! Volunteer at local charities, hospitals, parks departments, or soup kitchens. It's probably the most rewarding thing you can do with your time, and it's extremely prudent. While some of your friends are working on their tans, you can boast that you actually did something with your life.
It can be nearly impossible to fit volunteer work until a typical college schedule, what with work study and homework. One week of volunteered time will make a lasting impression on any resume, and more importantly, someone's life.

If nothing else, you should make time for yourself. Once the semester picks up again, you may find yourself being just as overwhelmed as you were before. So maybe this will be a good time to visit your family, clean your room, do the laundry that's been piling up, or making a much needed trip to the grocery store.

You may find yourself at the local tanning salon (so at least you can look like you came back from the Barbados), and that's okay, too. The vitamin D is good for you.