The other night while I was at Zumba, my instructor asked about everyone’s plans for Spring Break. Instantly, a chorus of exotic locations rang throughout the room. “I’m going to Punta Cana,” “I’m going to Italy,” “I’m going to the Keys,” were just a few of the many answers I heard from my classmates. At first, hearing all of the cool places that my peers were planning on heading to over break kind of got me down in the dumps. You see, while they had the opportunity to go on an adventure, I would be heading back to small townsville Illinois where nothing exciting ever happens. However, I then remembered last year. During Spring Break of my freshman year here at Notre Dame, I had the chance to travel with the Liturgical Choir to Austria and the Czech Republic for our annual tour. While it was a great experience and a ton of fun, upon returning to campus, I felt drained. I had had no time to relax, I was jet lagged, and I had work to catch up on since I didn’t have the break to work ahead. Having this flashback memory really got me thinking how, no, I may not be going on a large excursion this Spring Break, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be fantastic and memorable. If you’re stuck in the same boat as me, and will find yourself under your parent’s roof this break, don’t fret! There are still plenty of things to look forward to!
Seeing your Family and Friends
While at school, it can be hard to balance your school relationships and your pre-college relationships. It’s easy to forget to call home when you’re surrounded by so many great people that are interesting, fun, and still manage to keep you grounded. Going home allows you to reconnect with those you left behind when you came to Notre Dame. You can update your parents about how school is going, you can see your grandparents and assure them that you still haven’t found your future spouse, and if you’re lucky and your best friend from high school miraculously has the same break as you, you can catch up on all of their college drama! These week long breaks are the perfect time to truly get back to your roots and remember what’s important.
Local Eateries
Every town has that one local restaurant will always have better food than any chain establishment that you can find in South Bend. You know the place; you probably ate at it at least twice over Christmas break. Well, I have good news for you! If you’re going home, you’ll get to enjoy again very soon. Part of the reason I love my hometown so much is because it has a bakery that makes the best donuts I have ever tasted. You’d best bet I will be devouring at least four of them next week.
Seeing Your Pets
You love your dogs/cats/turtles/whatever type of animal you keep in your home, and if you’re going home this break, you finally get to see them again. While you’ve been surviving on the quick snaps your mom sends you or the brief moments that you get to talk with them over FaceTime when you actually do call home, to be able to hold them and cuddle with them again is one of the best feelings in the world. If you’re headed home this break, be sure to spend a little extra time with your furry friends to let them know how much you’ve missed them.
Good Night’s Sleep
There is nothing like sleeping in your own childhood bed; one that probably will be clean and freshly awaiting your arrival come friday evening. You’ll have a week to enjoy both being away from your roommate(s) and not setting alarms for that 8:20 Monday, Wednesday, Friday class you absolutely dread. Breaks are put into place to allow students to rejuvenate so they can come back and take on the second half of the semester. If you’re going home, even if only for a few days, you’ll definitely be able to relax and recoup just as you used to during the good old days.
Reflection
One final advantage of going home for break is that you’ll have the ability to focus on you and your personal self-growth. While technically you can do this from anywhere, doing so in a place that you’re familiar with and most comfortable in is more productive. Reflecting on this semester, relationships, your own mental health, and whatever else might need a little extra thought is great to do while at home because it takes away the noise from the outside world and really lets you just focus on yourself.
Traveling is a blast, and if you’re taking a trip this Spring Break, I hope you have the best time possible wherever the wind may take you. However, for those of you, who, like me, are planning on heading back home, I hope you also have the best time possible and make the most of your time with the ones you love!
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