Spring break is the oasis in the desert of second semester. It allows you to take a well-deserved breather just as the weather begins to warm up and spring fever sets in. Many college students decide to spend this time going on trips with their best friends to popular vacation spots, and we all know how that goes. It is always a great choice to travel with friends during this most-anticipated week, but sometimes you also just need to go home. So, for those of you who are spending your spring break in the "tropics" of your hometown, here are some ways to make it a fantastic excursion:

1. Sleep. This is never a bad idea. It is an ideal activity for being at home because you get to be in the bed you have come to know and love so well. You'll have your favorite pillow, your best blanket, and if you're lucky, your parents may even bring you breakfast in bed.

2. Catch up with your high school friends. You might find that some of them have come home as well. Even though it may have been a while since you've seen or talked to them, it's always fun to arrange a quick reunion at the coffee shop you all used to frequent in high school. They'll have a bunch of cool stories from school and so will you. It'll be a fun, chill afternoon for everyone.

3. Pamper your parents. They probably missed you a lot. Spend some quality time with them and show off your adulthood by paying for lunch or ice cream (dinner is a little expensive, and we are still college students...). They will feel special and loved, and you'll get to explore the new relationship that college creates between parents and children. It's a good one.

4. Check out a book from your local library. It may not be as extensive as our beloved ZSR, but your local library is a staple in your hometown. Take a chance and pick out something you normally never would. Read a new genre, start a series, or re-read an old favorite. It doesn't matter what you choose, but you'll definitely feel nostalgic pulling out your old library card.

5. Try cooking a new recipe. One of the best parts about going home is fresh food and a big kitchen. Take advantage of these things by going on Pinterest or Google and finding a recipe that you've never tried. If you've never cooked before, now is a good time to learn. You may even be able to bring your newfound skills back to campus.

6. Watch Netflix. OK, you don't have to wait until spring break to do this, but if you're at home you'll certainly have a lot more time to do so.

7. Go to the park. Run, walk, bike, picnic, you name it. Find a park in your area and explore. Maybe you can even call up one of those high school friends to join you! Enjoy the nice weather and relax outside for a change.

8. Volunteer. Take the spirit of Pro Humanitate back to your own community. Find a local homeless shelter, animal shelter, food pantry, school, or church that may need an extra pair of hands at some point in the week. You might even find a new passion.

9. Go on a hometown road trip. Sure, you may have lived there your whole life, but you still might not have seen all there is to see. Drive around by yourself, with your parents, or with your friends, and go down the roads you've always passed but never explored. You never know what you could find.

10. Stage a photo shoot. You may not be a professional photographer, but if you have a smartphone and some nice natural lighting you can pull off some pretty impressive pictures. Go wherever you want -- your backyard, old high school, favorite restaurant, wherever -- and capture some priceless moments that characterize your hometown. Then, post them on Instagram or print them out to decorate your dorm room. asdfasdf

11. Reflect. Aside from everything else you could be doing, spring break should be an opportunity for you to spend some quality time with yourself. Find a quiet area and make a list of accomplishments and dreams. Congratulate yourself for making it halfway through the semester and reflect on your experience. What's working for you and what isn't? Who are your most reliable friends? Where do you see yourself in five years? Spring break is a perfect time to consider all these things in depth. Practice self-care and be honest about your emotions. You'll arrive back to campus more refreshed than ever.

No matter where you go for spring break this year, seize the day and indulge in relaxation and fun. Then, ride that wave of momentum into the second half of the semester and finish strong. You've got this!