Spring break has officially started and you've either done one of two things: you've either planned a trip with your friends, or like me, you'll be sitting at home. But being at home isn't a bad thing. Here's my 5 tips to making the most of your spring break if you didn't make plans, or didn't have the money to do so:

1. Work or Find a Summer Job

If you have a job this is the perfect time to get back on the clock and make a little extra pocket change. If you don't have a job, this is the perfect time to be applying and looking for summer employment. Once April hits, it'll be way too late to try and find a job. It's early, employers know what they're looking for, so apply to as many places as possible and in the next few months keep an eye on those applications for future employment.

2. Visit Family and Friends

If you're lucky enough, your friends from high school might be in town. Go visit them, catch up, and spend time with them. With the school year and the many things going on in our lives, we often forget about the friends that we don't see on a daily basis. Remind them that they're still important in your life. Same goes with family members, take the time to go see your family, spend time with them, and let them know how you're doing. Especially take a day or two to really catch up with your parents and see how they're doing.

3. Catch Up on Schoolwork

As much as we would like to pretend that school is over, it's not. Whether you're a senior with barely two months til graduation, or a freshman who's finally getting the hang of school, there is something you could be catching up on. If not catching up on, get some extra studying done. Exams will be here before you know it. Make outlines, figure out what you do and don't know, and come back to school with questions. Not only will it benefit you, but your teachers will DEFINITELY appreciate your dedication.

4. Volunteer

This is your hometown. As much as we talk about leaving our hometowns, they're the reason we made it out. Take the time to give back to the community that raised you. Whether it's helping someone down the street, cleaning up the roads, or serving at the homeless shelter. Not only will your community appreciate it, but you will too.

5. Pick Up a New Hobby

You have an entire week to yourself. Rather than drive yourself nuts finding something to watch on Netflix, look into a new hobby. Worst case scenario, you realize you don't like something. Best case scenario, you realize there's an activity out there that you really like and can do for the rest of the summer.

No matter what you decide to do over your spring break, catch up on sleep and enjoy yourself because before you know it, your alarm clock will be going off yet again for class.