Breaking Spring Break Boredom

Many high school students carry high expectations for their spring break plans. When students get home after a long, tiring week they feel elated to be done with school and are completely ready to begin a relaxing break.  However, before they know it, the same teens get hit with this immense wave of boredom. Unless your family is headed off on a vacation, chances are that you have zero plans made for your week off. From hanging out with friends to getting outside to visiting local colleges, there are many fun and inexpensive activities you can do to fill all of that free time.

There are endless possibilities of the fun things you can do with friends. Even if you cannot drive yourself or get out of your house, there are still options. If you are limited to household activities, you can try a Pinterest-inspired DIY project or have a bake-off. Since the recently Oscars happened, another option is hosting a movie pajama party. You can relax with your friends while watching some of the Oscar-winning films. Pool parties are also a guaranteed fun time. Since school is stressful at times, a relaxing, calm day could be what you need. Get extra sleep, try yoga, and pamper yourself; it really does feel good.

If you do in fact have the ability (or freedom) to leave the house, getting out is a great way to spend the day. Whether it is going on a shopping spree or going on a hike, adventure is out there. I personally love nature and the outdoors, so a sunrise hike would be amazing for people like me. Mission Peak is a beloved spot less than twenty-five miles from Santa Clara, and Rancho San Antonio Preserve is also a wonderful place to hike or go on a trail run. Since the weather is getting nice and warm, a day trip to the beach is another exciting option. Going for a run with friends is quick, easy, and will help you stay in shape for whatever spring sports you are in. Exploring nature is an essential way to reduce stress and feel more relaxed.

Last but not least, it is crucial to be productive during spring break. This time can be used to catch up on studying and getting ahead on future assignments. Wilcox freshmen Claire Dong and Ethan Roland tell me that they plan to spend their spring break preparing for their campaign for the sophomore class council elections at the end of April. This week allows time for poster making, tag making, and social media campaigning. Visiting local college campuses during this time is also an idea. Students who take tours during this time have the potential benefit of exploring these schools while they are in session. This way, they can get a better feeling of the atmosphere and student life, as opposed to visiting during the summer time when few students are there. Wilcox junior Diego Smith told me, “I went to UC Davis and Santa Clara University (over a break). I’m glad I did the tours because even though they are not necessarily schools I am interested in, it was nice to get the vibe of a campus so I could get an idea of what qualities I want in a college.” This is definitely worth doing over spring break.

If you do not have any plans for spring break, there are many ideas for people of all interests. Some suggestions from fellow Wilcox students include, going outside, doing community service, preparing for upcoming elections, or touring dream schools. Spring break is a great time to catch up with friends and try new activities. Whether you like crafting, exploring new places, or simply hanging out with friends, you will not have an excuse to be bored during spring break.