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Spring Break (March 14–22)

Although it seems like the semester just began, Spring Break is just around the corner. Many students are already making plans—and not all are jetting off to sun-soaked beach destinations. Many will head home, work, or take a volunteer or service trip.

Especially during these economic times, most students are planning an inexpensive, relaxing week away from campus, according to Susan Crowley, director of prevention services at University Health Services (UHS). “Spring Break can be a period of renewal,” she says. “It can be a great opportunity to read, catch up on sleep, or exercise. You don’t have to travel far away to do those things, and most students don’t.”

If they are not home working or relaxing, many students choose to participate in service-oriented trips. Badger Parent surveyed parents about how their student has spent past spring breaks. “My daughter spent her first spring break in Virginia building a Home for Habitat,” says one parent. “I was very proud of her decision, and it proved to be a great learning experience for her.”

Another parent said that her son participated in a service-learning trip to New Orleans. “I got over not being able to see him for the week of Spring Break relatively quickly after he told me what a life-altering experience he had in New Orleans,” she recalls.

To learn more about service-oriented trips visit the Wisconsin Union's Alternative Braks Web site. If your student is planning to travel, here are some safety tips to consider:

  • Make sure that you (or other friends or family members) know details about where your student will be vacationing, including departure and return times. Ask that your student call upon arrival and return.
  • Carry the minimum amount of cash and credit cards or bank cards.
  • Have an honest conversation about alcohol. Recommend that your student learn about the alcohol laws of his or her destination. Encourage responsibility and moderation.
  • Travel together and stay together; always use the buddy system.
  • Remind your student to remain aware of surroundings and use common sense. Emphasize safety on balconies, being careful about sun exposure and dehydration, locking the hotel room door, and not swimming alone.

    • To learn more about spring break safety visit the Campus Safety Web site.