Spring break: the beach versus your bed

By AMANDA HOWAR

Spring break is almost here and college students are preparing for their annual wild binge. They will party hard and get drunk at the beach, or at least that’s what the movies tell us. Is that what actually happens during spring break or is Hollywood exaggerating and stereotyping college students?

There are more movies featuring drunk and reckless students than responsible ones because the movie industry thinks what sells and makes money are movies that support the stereotype of the wild and crazy college student. This wrongly depicts college students in a negative light. While movies exaggerate wild scenes and nonstop partying, I believe college students have a lot more going for them than the image Hollywood produces. 

I decided to see what students are really doing on their spring break. It was easy to get people to talk about their spring break plans since everyone is excited for a week off of studying and exams. As I was asking students about their spring break plans, I noticed a pattern.

The majority of students I talked to are choosing to use spring break as way to catch up on some much-needed sleep or a way to earn a few extra bucks. Many students are paying for their own education so spring break provides an opportunity for them to work extra hours.

When asked what she is doing for spring break, UMW sophomore Megan Milonovich said, “I’m just going to pick up a few shifts at work.” I think this is indicative of a number of students at UMW and the majority of other universities. A lot of students are using this time to relax and sleeping is a big part of that relaxation.

“I’m hibernating this break,” said freshman Jennifer Crowell. Many students feel the need, after the constant bombardment of essays and homework, to take their minds off of school and spring break provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

As far as my own plans for spring break after midterm exams, I am ready to just relax. Relaxing for me means sleeping, reading a good book and binge-watching a series on Netflix. My main goal for this spring break is sleeping in until 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and my main wardrobe for spring break will be my pajamas. Just the luxury of not having to be up and out the door by 8 a.m. is relaxing in itself.

To some people, my spring break may sound boring but for me it is the perfect way to unwind after a stressful half of the semester. It is alright to relax in whichever fashion one enjoys whether that is hanging out with friends, staying at home or traveling. I am sure there are students that fit the movie description of a wild spring break, but for the majority of us, we will be relaxing.