March is one of the best times of the year for a college student, due to spring break and, even more importantly, March Madness.
Right now, it is the night before Selection Sunday. My nerves are shot because my team is either one of the 'first four out' or part of the 'last four in'. I won't know which one until tomorrow night, but by the time this article is published, I'll either be really relieved or really sad.
So, to keep my mind off of all of the madness for a little bit, why not write about spring break, which I am currently on?
I look forward to this week every year. Finally, a time of relaxation from doing three million things at school with stress and anxiety levels through the roof. I am spending my break in Hilton Head, South Carolina, a place I have frequented every year since I was a little girl.
To show how appreciative I am of this place, here's a short tribute as to why I love it so much.
1. Beautiful Weather
I'm from Boston and I go to school in Syracuse. So, long story short, a complete nightmare winter-weather-wise in both places. Coming down south for spring break is an absolute gift. I get to escape the -40 degree windchill and never-ending daily snow / rainstorms that I have to walk through multiple times a day to get to and from class. Hilton Head, and the south in general, has the most incredible weather. It's currently sunny and 75 with zero wind and zero rain. I sat outside and baked in the sun (with sunscreen of course) for hours today and almost cried due to my amazement that weather can actually make you happy instead of super, super miserable. I saw the sun and didn't have to wear a jacket!
2. Incredible Food
The south is known for super yummy fried food and sweet tea. Being at school with a really, really bad dining hall makes it hard to enjoy eating. However, now that I'm off for a week, I get to indulge in all of my favorite foods. Here in Hilton Head, specifically, I frequent "lobstah" rolls (yup, Boston girl), other seafood, ice cream, strawberry lemonade and the best BBQ.
3. Beaches, Pools And Palm Trees
Sure, there are beaches in Massachusetts, but they simply don't compare to anything down south. Plus, you can't enjoy a beach in Mass in March. These beaches here in HHI are impeccable. They're surrounded by palm trees and mansions, filled with dolphins, and topped with the softest of sand and the prettiest shells. Today I walked with my feet in the water and felt like a new person. I left all of my school stress behind and just lived in the moment. It was utterly fantastic. It's also very nice to be able to swim in a pool, something I haven't been able to do since last August.
4. Southern Hospitality
Back in Boston, I'm surrounded by a bunch of Massholes. Don't get me wrong, that's great. I'm 110 percent a Masshole myself and I love it. However, it is rejuvenating to be around genuinely nice and calm people, even if it's only for a few days on spring break. Everyone is so kind around here. They're always willing to lend a helping hand, smile at you and say, "Hello," and make your day.
5. Serenity
Hilton Head is so incredibly peaceful. It's such a relaxing environment and there's really nothing that beats it. It's the perfect place to destress and take a breather from reality (which is very necessary and I wish I could do it more often).
6. Country Music And Piña Coladas
Summertime is the perfect time for relaxation. However, as a college student under far too much pressure 24/7, I can't wait a few more months for summer to commence. That's why spring break is so wonderful. Being down south with the great weather clear in sight, I am gladly blasting any and all country music. Don't get me wrong, I listen to it in Cuse, but there are so many things wrong with the song "Sunny and 75" when it's -20 degrees outside and you're surrounded by two feet of snow. Here in Hilton Head, I can have Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line playing with a delicious piña colada in my hand and have no worries in the world.
I'm so grateful for all of the amazing memories I've made in Hilton Head with my family. I'm excited to continue this tradition annually and hopefully do the same with my kids down the road. Enjoy your spring break, college friends.
