The Dos and Don'ts of Planning Spring Break

Simone Novorr
Delta Delta Delta

Nothing warms you up from the cold weather and calms realization that syllabus week is not every week like the thought of spring break. In college spring break is bigger and better than Christmas. That is where my first piece of advice comes in: DON’T start planning too early because you do not want to make reservations to go somewhere only to discover months later your friends decide to go somewhere else.

But that also means you DO need to figure out if you want to go somewhere with a bunch of your friends or just a small group, and if you want to go to a place where there will be a lot of other people you know or not. To some people, spring break is all about getting away from the hectic bubble that USC can become and relax. To others spring break is just an excuse to hang out with the same people in a different environment. To most people spring break is synonymous with somewhere tropical on the beach, usually Mexico.

Since we already live so close to the beach in a place with such nice weather, DO consider other options. If you are on a budget and are not set on the beach, there is always the idea of going somewhere to ski or snowboard. There are places within driving distance, and usually in the spring time there are good deals on places to stay, renting skis, and lift tickets, especially if you plan far in advance.

Still want to go to the beach? Well there are packages everywhere that seem like deals on places to stay with everything included but DO make sure that you are not roped in by some package catered to college kids because it may include things that you would otherwise not want to pay for like concerts or activities.

DO check reviews on the place you are planning to stay because sometimes places fail to mention that they are not located on the beach and it may be a drive.

DO realize some deals are too good to be true, and you will be receiving the low quality experience with the low price tag.

DON’T tack on the extra all-inclusive charge with your trip if you do not think you would otherwise spend that amount on food and drink while you are there because then it no longer becomes a deal.

Also DON’T blindly go out into the city of wherever you are staying because you could be with a million people you know but that does not make it safe. If at all possible, if you are leaving the country, find a place that has clubs and such at the place so you do not have to leave the resort.

This is where those college packages DO become useful because they will be safer and you will be guaranteed to have a good time without leaving the resort. It is also important to see if airfare is included because a lot of times that can tack on an extra expenses as can transportation to and from the airport.

The most important thing is DO pay attention to the details of what you are paying for so you DON’T become disappointed on spring break.