With Christmas break ending, it can be easy to fall into a slump about the spring semester for us Auburn students. Football season is over and we constantly have to bundle up while walking to class. However, don’t let this semester get you down, as there are still plenty of fun ways to spend your time off and enjoy the spring semester as a whole with these fun events coming up.

1. MLK Weekend

No one can complain that this holiday lands on a Monday, especially because this three-day weekend is the first one when we return to school. Already feeling tired from waking up for your 8 and 9 a.m.’s? You have plenty of time to sleep in. Plus, you get that extra night to go out and party with your friends that you haven’t seen in a month. I’d say this is a solid start to the new semester.

Personally, football season is my absolute favorite time of year. I live for waking up and getting to the games on Saturday and cheering on the Tigers. However, I don’t love the traffic of people that have invaded where I live. And I don’t love waking up Sunday morning feeling like I have a limited amount of time to get a long list of things done. I miss football so much in the spring, but instead of being bummed out I just think of all the extra time I’ll have to maybe go to Chewacala Park with my friends, go on a road trip or go out without having to pay a ridiculous amount for cover at the bars. A whole free day opens up a world of possibilities.

3. Fraternity/Sorority Formals

If you’re a part of Greek life like I am, then you know how much fun all the socials and formals are this time of year. Whether you get asked to a fraternity formal in NOLA or simply just attend your own, the whole process is just so dang fun. Getting all dressed up, taking fun pictures and having the time of your life with your best friends is the best part of college to me. And the best part if you’re a freshman, is that you’ve started to make closer friends, so dressing up and going out for these events is even more fun.

4. Sunday Brunch

Now granted, you can definitely do this one in the fall, but do you know how crowded The Hound is on a Sunday morning after a football game? No thank you. In the off season though, you can easily enjoy some mimosa’s and eggs benedict without taking on the crowds. Look for specials at all the brunch spots in Auburn, like $15 bottomless mimosas at Amsterdam Café, to get your fancy on while staying in budget.

5. SPRING BREAK

You didn’t think I would forget this one, did you? Ah yes, college spring break, the week everyone busts out in the gym to prepare for. Whether you decide to go crazy at the beach with your friends or go somewhere exotic and out of the country, the world is at your fingertips. It’s the first real long break you’ve had since Christmas and the sun is beckoning you to come lay out and tan. You spend all semester planning the perfect trip and when it finally arrives, you can hardly contain your excitement. Let the countdown begin boys and girls.

6. A-Day

This one is definitely for the football lovers who are excited to see what’s in store for the fall. But, it’s also for spending time with family that may come to town. Students get in free to this game with their ignited card and families can buy tickets for as low as $5. You may think that sometimes your parents kill your party buzz, but you can be sure they will take you to places like The Depot and Acre for dinner. Who could pass that up on a college budget?

7. Rodeo

The fun of this almost compares to the fun of spring break. This is the day to let all your redneck and southern charm come through. Hosted by Alpha Psi every year, Rodeo brings a line of country artists big and small to a field in the middle of nowhere. But this event doesn’t start in the evening; it’s an all-day affair completed with day drinking, the actual rodeo and too many painted coolers to count. You better start drinking water and stock up on your sunscreen now. Look out for announcements later in the semester about tickets and artists because you won’t want to miss this.

8. Music and Miracles Superfest

This fan packed event took place in Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time last year and is returning to the plains April 22, 2017. Hosted and sponsored by the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, the event brings in big time country artists to promote fighting cancer and feeding the hungry. This year’s artists are Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Lynyrd Skynrd, and David Ray. That’s quite a line up if you ask me and tickets are already on sale so I would act fast if you want to attend. The concert is nothing short of amazing and living in Auburn makes it that much easier to attend. So save up that money from Christmas or a birthday country music fans, because I know you don’t want to miss Thomas Rhett singing “Die a Happy Man” in person (talking to you ladies).

So, whether you are excited or bummed to be going back to school for the spring semester, don’t let the lack of activities get you down. Auburn offers plenty of fun activities outside of football so get out there and try something new with your friends. And here’s to another great semester of being an Auburn Tiger.