Cracking open a new book, stepping onto sandy beaches or spending quality time with loved ones can all be possible during a respite from school. Spring break is coming soon, as the weeks before spring break stretch on, the countdown begins for many students and teachers. For some people, spring break means hopping on a flight to escape the cold weather of Illinois. For others, it means staying home and spending time with family and friends.
Whether you are traveling to Punta Cana with the seniors, going on your own family vacation or staying home to recharge, spring break is the perfect time for relaxation.
Many students travel, including freshman Dora Haidar who is going to California for the week.
“I’m going to Los Angeles,” Haidar said. “My parents chose it because they thought it was a fun option. We always go to California, but we’ve never been to LA before.”
She is going with her family and cousins who are in college, so they are using this time to catch up and spend some much needed time together.
“I am mostly excited to just spend time with my family,” Haidar said.
According to University of Illinois climatologists, the average temperature this winter has been 28 degrees. Getting away from the cold winter is also a bonus to going on tropical vacations. Many people, like Haidar, are excited to escape winter time.
“I’m excited to just get away from the cold,” Haidar said.
But spring break is not only about travel. For many students, it is simply about stepping away from school stress and finding ways to relax. And even if you do go on vacation, spending time getting ready for school again is important. Haidar has a special routine.
“I like to take a really long shower and listen to music,” Haidar said. “And I like to write in my journal because it gets all my thoughts out.”
Whether you are travelling or not, relaxation is vital to squeeze in the last few months of school. She said that students should focus on relaxing during the break instead of worrying about school.
“I would just say take it easy,” Haidar said. “This is your time to reset. You have a whole week off of school, so you can get missing work done if you need to, but you can also sit and relax and hang out with your family and have a stress-free week.”
While some students are packing their bags for trips, others will spend the week at home. Staying local does not necessarily mean the break will be boring. For Insha Hyder, sophomore, she will be spending the whole week having fun with family and relaxing.
“All my cousins are really close,” Hyder said. “We’re probably going to hang out at their houses and play games like Imposter, because we always do that.”
She has other ways to reset over the break. Even without a vacation, she is going to relax and recharge. According to Johns Hopkins, the best ways to recharge is to take screen detoxes, get good quality sleep, spend time outside (if weather permits) and nourish your body and mind.
Hyder is also going to spend time doing her favorite hobbies she may not have time to do during the rest of the year.
“[I’ll] try to watch a new show or maybe read a book or pick up a new hobby,” Hyder said.
Teachers also look forward to spring break as a chance to pause after months of work. Hannah Haworth, Journalism: Yearbook teacher, said she plans to take a short trip with her boyfriend.
They plan on going to Madison, Wis. for their trip and will focus on activities they enjoy together, including rock climbing and hiking.
“We like to rock climb at a gym there, and there are hiking spots nearby,” Haworth said.
For teachers, the break plays an important role in maintaining balance during the school year.
“[Having a break is] extremely important,” Haworth said. “When you’re working all the time, you get exhausted and don’t want to do the work anymore. When you take a break and do things that are just fun, you come back excited again.”
She said she believes the break serves a similar purpose for students as well; she highlights how break can help students get excited for the end of the year.
“For students, it’s a little more about fun and hanging out with friends,” Haworth said. “For adults, it’s more about relaxing.”
For students trying to balance relaxation with school responsibilities, she offers simple advice.
“If you have work to do, pick one day to get it done,” Haworth said. “Then relax the rest of the days and don’t think about school.”
Whether students are traveling across the country, visiting family or simply enjoying a slower schedule at home, spring break means something different to everyone. No matter how it is spent, spring break is a time for students and teachers to recharge and rejuvenate for the last few months of school.
