A Student's View: Spending Spring Break at Home

So your family didn't plan a vacation this year? Are most of your friends away, and you're so anxious about your schoolwork that spring break is starting to sound like a curse? I feel like all students have been stuck in this position at some point in their lives.

Rather than sit around in your pajamas and wait for the monotonous school routine to begin again, I thought of some ways to liven up your day. Who cares if you aren't going to Disney World? Believe it or not, the comfort of your home can provide just as many fun activities as going to another state/country will, and without the burden of travel.

Natural preserves (like the one in Sands Point), fields, and parks are the perfect places to spend a sunny day. Bring a picnic basket, a bike, some tennis rackets, and a friend. If there are barbecue pits, be sure to bring some burgers or corn with you. In addition, if you're nervous about finishing your work, you can even bring some with you. A change of scenery will make doing work more tolerable, and you'll probably feel less distracted and cooped up.

The best part about being at home over the vacation is that it gives you the chance to relax. Instead of letting a rainy day make you gloomy, try an indoor picnic. Pick out three of your favorite movies, make a pitcher of lemonade and some sandwiches or pasta salad, and lay a blanket on your living room floor. Try getting up early to finish your work so that you can dedicate the rest of the day to relaxation. Finish that book you haven't had time to read for months, or find some colored pencils and exercise your artistic abilities.

Many people, myself included, find that spring break revolves around one terrifying word: matzah. As we near those last few days of Passover and are trying your hardest not to snap and eat a bagel, try getting creative.

I've found that there are more appetizing alternatives to plain matzah including "matzah pizza." I say play iron chef. What can you find in your kitchen that would go well with matzah? Try going Greek; make a sandwich with matzah, lettuce, tomato, hummus, falafel balls — anything else you might find in a pita at a Greek restaurant. Anything that would go well with bread will probably go well with matzah, too. You might find that there are ways to make matzah taste great, and feel pretty accomplished after doing so.

As for me, all of my friends are currently on vacation, and I'm completely swamped with work, with an A.P. test coming up and an eight-page research paper due when I get back to school. If you're studying for an A.P. test like I am, it's a good idea to make a schedule of which days you'll study, and for how long. This way, you're less likely to put it off and more likely to follow the schedule and get it done.

If you do have friends around, try studying together at the library. Study groups are actually very effective in that if you have questions, you can ask a friend, and feed information to each other. Then, after you've studied for a few hours, treat yourself to lunch or a movie. You'll want to study more often!

One of the most productive things you could do over spring break is to teach yourself a new skill. If you've always had the desire to learn to play the guitar, take an instructional video out from the library. If there's a birthday or special occasion coming up, this would be the perfect time to learn how to make a necklace or bracelet. If you were inspired by your last trip to an art museum, try making some of your own. Being creative will distract you from your boredom and provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

Try to remember, during your time off from school, that vacations are a gift — whether or not you're going away. Enjoy your time and spend it wisely, and you'll see exactly what I mean.