Spring Break Staycation: 14 Ways To Enjoy Spring Break Without Travel
Spring break! It’s time to get out of your college town and into the real world of partying, road trips and late-night smooch-fests.
(That’s what a traditional spring break is, right?) But, some of us will choose to forgo the party life and enjoy time with our families, or by our lonesome.
It’s a time to relax and partake in some personal time. While this week away from school is a great time to sit and do nothing, here is a list of things you can do during your spring break at home:
1. Watch "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
If you haven’t started watching Tina Fey’s new comedy on Netflix, now is the perfect time.
Who is going to interrupt your binge-watching session besides your parents or pets?
2. Start working out
If you’re stuck in your college town after everyone has left, there is no better time to use the university gym.
All of the equipment will be open and there will be hardly anyone there as you begin your routine.
3. Get through your backlog
If you have a list of items you’ve been meaning to get through, like video games, books or TV shows, now is the best time to make a dent in that list.
Fire up your computer and play some video games or just veg out on the couch and binge-watch ‘90s cartoons.
4. Tour your hometown
You know that really touristy thing to do in your hometown? Do it! Get together with a friend or go by yourself; you might just enjoy yourself and learn a little bit more about the place where you grew up.
5. Start a dog-walking business for your neighbors
Undoubtedly, the people in your neighborhood back home have 9-to-5 jobs and their poor little pooches are sitting at home alone. Offer to walk dogs once a day. You could make a little bit of cash. Plus, PUPPIES!
6. Cook dinner for your parents
Plan a “fancy” meal for your parents as a thank you for everything they do for you! Have everything set for when they come home from work and treat them to your fine cuisine.
7. Volunteer
Head to the nearest humane society or your town’s homeless shelter and give back to the community.
This could be rewarding and give you something to focus on other than the computer screen.
8. Spring cleaning
Does anyone else still have a lot of clothes left over from high school? Go through your closet back home and clear out everything that is too small, or you simply don’t wear anymore.
Bring it all to a thrift store, or even better, bring it to a clothing donation box.
9. Social media cleanse
Spend a whole day away from Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat and Instagram.
You could go for a walk in the park, explore your neighborhood or play with puppies (seriously, fill your break with puppies and it will be perfect).
This will also help combat any FOMO you have from seeing your friends post about their awesome time in Florida.
10. Start a new book
Dust off that new book you got for Christmas but haven’t had the chance to read. Take the opportunity to read for pleasure and get through a brand new novel.
11. Hang out with your family
Go shopping with your sister, pick up groceries with your mom or help your dad fix the deck.
Breaks back at home are great ways to maximize the time you have with your family since you don’t get to see them on a regular basis.
12. Day trip to the nearest city
If you live near a major city, like Chicago or New York, spend time exploring and wandering around. You could check out a museum, walk the Magnificent Mile (Chicago, what up!) or just find a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant you can rave about to your friends.
13. Nature walk and picnic
Take your puppies* out for a nice walk in the park, forest preserve or just around the block, and bring some lunch.
Enjoy the nice weather and the fact that you can be outside on your own free will as opposed to only seeing the daylight because you’re walking to and from classes.
*Any animal you can walk will suffice. Cat on a leash? Hysterical and appropriate.
14. Relax
Seriously, take some time to yourself and enjoy having made it through a significant chunk of the semester. School will start again shortly and you need to recharge your batteries before going back.
