Alternative Spring Break
by: Emily Long

The thought of spring break probably excites you, and you might already
be dreaming of an entire week of relaxing nothingness: no homework,
plenty of TV catch-up time, fun events with friends, or maybe even a
family vacation to the beach.

While this particular school holiday provides a well-deserved midterm
mental break, you don’t have to spend it on the couch. If you find yourself
bored, or if you just want to use your time in a new and exciting way,
consider some of the following ideas:
Learn something new. In the midst of
class assignments, competitive sports,
music lessons, or volunteer work, you
may not be able to devote time to ideas
unrelated to school. If there is anything
you are curious about but can’t explore
while class is in session, take this week as
an opportunity to do so. Go to the library
and check out books on an interesting
public figure, an exotic locale, or a recent
scientific discovery. Look for a unique
documentary at your local movie store.
Ask someone with expertise in a particular
career or activity if you can shadow him
or her for a day. Visit a special museum
exhibit. Keep your mind open.
Read a good book. If your brain freezes at the idea of reading another book
on top of homework assignments, read for pleasure during break. Refer to
your own list of must-reads, ask friends or teachers for recommendations,
or browse bookstore and library shelves.

Take on a project. A week is the perfect amount of time to accomplish
personal projects. Alphabetize your bookshelves, recycle old papers and
tests from those piles in your desk drawers, or clean out your closet and
take those unworn jeans to a local clothing drive. Alternatively, get
creative. Paint your room a fun color. Find a pattern and fabric and make
your own summer dress. Sit down at the piano with the score from your
favorite movie or Broadway show and sing along. Pull out those cookbooks
and experiment with new dishes. You can also check out
foodnetwork.com, allrecipes.com, and epicurious.com for recipes and tips.
Make a list. Time away from school is the
perfect opportunity to step back and evaluate
where you have been and where you plan to go.
Write down some goals for your academic
career, both short and long-term. Create “Spring
Break Resolutions.” Brainstorm activities or
experiences you wish to have in the future,
from skydiving to visiting a particular country
to reading the collected works of a favorite
author.

Find a cool community organization or time.
Check out local organizations that may need
short-term help, such as the Ronald McDonald
House, Habitat for
Humanity, or the Humane Society. You can also check out
volunteermatch.org or idealist.org. These sites list hundreds of
opportunities broken down by category, time commitment, and
geographic location. Be sure to ask about age requirements and scheduling
constraints. If you can’t find a particular activity, ask among your friends
or teachers and create your own.

Travel for others. Join a local church or community group on a volunteer
trip.  Look at volunteerabroad.com, a searchable database of programs and
opportunities around the world. Alternatively, check out Cross Cultural
Solutions (crossculturalsolutions.com), which offers weeklong
opportunities abroad in Russia, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Brazil.
Program participants can work in orphanages, schools, health clinics, or
other community organizations. Students under 18 must be accompanied
by a parent or guardian on every trip for safety reasons, so consider
exchanging this year’s family ski vacation for a volunteer-based
opportunity.

Go outside. Shed that heavy coat and take advantage of warm spring
weather. Organize a Frisbee tournament for your friends, ride your bike,
walk your dog, or have a picnic in the local park. You can also help your
parents get a jump-start on outdoor spring cleaning: offer to mow the grass
or clean the gutters.

Above all, make spring break your own. Do something new and exciting!