For spring break this year I decided to do something that many might call crazy. It was not my initial plan, but when things fell through, I ended up with a wild idea that I decided to run with. Most of my friends were going on cruises or hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail, but for me something totally different was in the works. It has turned out to be a spring break for the history books, and I am beyond thankful I chose to go with it. For spring break 2016, I went home. Wait, I thought this was going to be something wild and crazy? Based on the looks many of my friends gave me, I am quite convinced they thought so. Anyway, this whole going home for spring break thing has turned out pretty well. Let me tell you why.
1. Sleeping in the bed you grew up in is always nice!
After spending an entire semester dealing with a roommate and a less than stellar mattress, who wouldn't want to sleep in the comfort of the bed you spent your early years in? Even if you get relegated to the extra room because your brother has taken your old room, it is still nice to have a good mattress! It is a lot quieter than a spring break hotel room shared with a pack of wild hooligans.
2. Mom will buy you all the food you want.
Going shopping with your mother when you get home is great because she will buy whatever you want for the week. It is a treat for her that you are home and she wants to make it special. Do not hesitate to take advantage of this gracious spirit, as next week it is back to the cafeteria food fixed for hundreds or thousands. Nothing beats Mom's cooking. Bonus being that if you are from Chicago, you can get that deep dish pizza you've been missing since Christmas.
3. Reliving your high school days with your younger siblings and their friends
One of the best days I had all break was when my younger brother invited a group of his friends over to play basketball and have a campfire. We balled hard and long, because for them ball is life, before checking out an abandoned building in town. What better test is there of manliness for a teenage boy than exploring a creepy, empty building at night? Eventually we sat around a campfire and relaxed the evening away. It is really fun to hang out with a group whose worries are way simpler and less dramatic than yours. These guys definitely know how to have a good time.
4. Endless amounts of Settlers of Catan
Everyone loves a good game of Catan, and when you go home for break, there is ample time to play. It is obvious that the household champion is the best strategist in the land. Somehow my family has deemed me their eternal enemy and it seems I am constantly the target of the robber. One of these days I will win, anyway.
5. Caching up on some classic movies you haven't seen in awhile
There are plenty of movies available to stream online these days, but there is something special about grabbing a blanket and some popcorn and popping in the extended edition of the "Lord of The Rings" or letting your mom pick out an old western to watch. Without the pressure of class the next morning, you can stay up late watching movies and still sleep in and get enough sleep! It's the perfect combo.
6. Having your dad give your car a tune up
When your tail light is out or your stereo stops working, you can call a shop and fork over the big bucks to have them fix it or if you are lucky like me, your handyman dad can take care of it the next time you are home. Spring break is the perfect time to fix all the things that popped up during the winter months when it was too cold to deal with them on your own. Thanks Papa, you're a miracle worker!
7. You can actually do the homework you were assigned for break.
OKI get that I am a total nerd, but still, you have to agree it feels good to actually do the reading you are supposed to do over break or to get a head start on that big paper coming up. Think of how much less stress you will endure down the road. Plus, there will be a bunch more time to catch up on all the great stories your friends have from their breaks without having to duck out to go work.
8. After a week you will be ready to go back to school feeling refreshed and energized.
Instead of getting back to school hungover and exhausted from the crazy shenanigans that went down, you actually took a break. You got some good rest and you are actually kind of excited to get back to business. Pretty soon it will be exams and you will be slightly less burned out when it comes time to pull those last all nighters of the semester.
9. You saved a ton of money!
Without even realizing it at first, you have saved a ton of money by going home for break. This of course means you can spend it in two other places: the remainder of the semester at school and over the summer in that fun adventure of a summer job you took that makes no money in itself. From Mom paying for your food, and Dad fixing your car, to not having to pay for a room and a shower, going home has been a huge savior for your bank account. Spend it wisely back in Collegetown.
While it is always great to see your family, a week is the perfect amount of time where they won't be sick of you and you won't be sick of them. It is a great opportunity to go home and reminisce while still not being there so long that you sit around bored after a while. After a more exciting week than I first expected when I decided to come home for spring break, I can say for certain it was time well spent. I'd love to hear any other reasons you have for going home and if you must comment about what a fool I am for skipping out on the opportunity to spend a week partying in some tropic location free of consequence, I direct you to my article from last week.
