The bags are packed, and the students are ready to go: spring break begins.
Students are heading as far away as Australia, London, Paris and as close as their families’ homes in Dallas. They are heading to the sunny beaches of Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and the Bahamas, while others chose the snowy mountains of Breckenridge, Snowshoe and Beaver Creek.
Despite the differences, most share the same reason for their excitement.
“Spring break means the weather is about to warm up, and I can see a light at the end of the semester,” sophomore business major Austin Wyker said.
Others said that the week before spring break tends to be full of projects, tests and papers as professors attempt to squeeze in grades and tie up loose ends.
Katie Bibb, a sophomore psychology major said this past week’s work load stressed her out.
“After a long week of mid-terms and tests, a break from professors and studying is just what I need,” she said.
On the other side, some professors said a break from students isn’t so bad either.
“Most professors are about ready to choke their students by this time,” journalism professor Craig Flournoy said. He is taking his family to Disney World during the vacation.
Faculty members are Anthony’s Travel’s biggest clients, Sonya Simani, the company leisure agent said.
“Faculty members tend to visit the same places as students,” she said.
However, Europe seems to be an especially popular spot for professors, mainly because of the low prices this time of year.
Other students plan to spend spring break helping others. Melissa Cooper, a sophomore CCPA and Spanish major, is building a home in Juarez, Mexico this weekend. She said as a Christian she is called to help other people, but rarely gets the opportunity due to the demands of college life.
“A break from school gives me the opportunity to do something I enjoy to benefit people less fortunate than myself,” Cooper said.
So, what about those few students and faculty who have yet to make plans? Roadtrips are basically the only options left, Simani said. Most commercial and charter airlines have been booked for months, she said.
Nevertheless, this won’t deter students like Veronica Terefenko, a sophomore, who is headed to South Padre Island by car.
“I’m actually excited about spending a ridiculous amount of time in the car with three other people,” she said. “It will be a bonding experience.
Let the vacations begin . . .
