As students across Grounds lie nestled in their beds, visions of spring break dance through their heads. Daydreams of suntan lotion, postcards and perhaps a tacky souvenir or two have become increasingly distracting as the University approaches its final day of classes before the week-long spring break.
Running the gamut from well-planned vacations that have been marked on calendars since fall to spur-of-the-moment classic college road trips, University students' spring breaks have one thing in common -- they all are eagerly awaited.
Hitting the slopes
While some students strive to return from spring break bronzed and beautiful, others opt for a break that requires Gore-tex and gloves. Slopes out West are an ideal destination for ski bunnies everywhere because of excellent weather conditions, numerous runs and an abundance of powdery snow.
Third-year College student Clark Tate said she is heading to the Big Sky Ski Resort with her family for break. Having skied multiple times before, Clark said she looks forward to testing out new slopes and working on her snowboarding skills.
"I am a skier, and I just learned to snowboard, so hopefully I wont die," Tate said.
According to Tate, the area around the Big Sky resort offers some non-ski attractions for those who need a break from the slopes, or perhaps time to recover from the stress and strain of Montana moguls. "There are also geysers and sleigh ride tours that we might do," she said.
Second-year College student Dan Smith said he will spend his break slicing through the fresh powder of the Rockies. He is headed to Breckenridge, Colo. with a few friends for a week of sun, snow and skiing.
After booking flights, Smith said he and his friends put off planning for a while, making their trip more of an adventure than a set itinerary. He says once in Breckenridge, they count on "Freeloading, with random people -- my friend's uncle has a place, and we know people who work out there."
One thing Smith said he is sure about is that the trip will consist of "partying and a lot of skiing." Studying, however, may not fit into the schedule.
"I have a test on the Tuesday and the Wednesday of the week I get back, so those probably are not going to go so well," he said. "But, we'll see, I'll find a way."
With the week of skiing and resort hopping fourth-year Kelsie Welch has planned, she might not be opening the books much either. Welch said she will be spending her break in Lake Tahoe, Calif. competing in Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Nationals.
Planning to compete in two snowboard races during her stay in Lake Tahoe, Welch said she is shooting to get in one of the top 20 spots out of 200 or so competitors.
Bonding with the other female snowboarders and sampling Tahoe's eight resorts should fill up any leftover time.
"My friend and I have rented a car. On the days I'm not competing we'll drive around to the other resorts," she said.
Alternative Spring Break
While many students see spring break as a time for relaxation and self-indulgence, those participating in the Alternative Spring Break program offered through the University will be spending their week off working for others.
First-year College student Emily Eddins said she learned about Alternative Spring Break at the fall activities fair. Several months later, after filling out an application and attending interest meetings, she was signed up to spend her spring break in Salem, N.C.
Eddins said she will be taking part in a variety of service activities while in Salem. The trip's itinerary includes work for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at a soup kitchen and helping out at an after-school tutoring program for elementary school children.
Although Eddins hadn't met the majority of her traveling companions until just recently, she looks forward to the chance to meet new people through working toward a common cause.
"When people do service," she said, "everyone is involved and in a good mood."
First-year Engineering student Michael Provenza, a fellow Alternative Spring Breaker, can attest to that.
"I took a trip like this senior year of high school," he said. "It turned out to be the best thing I've ever done."
Provenza will be heading south of the border to Belize for his Alternative Spring Break. Staying in an inexpensive hotel, Provenza and his group will work with elementary kids in a summer camp-like setting.
"We don't teach them to read or anything, but we do theme days and fun stuff like crafts," he said.
When not occupied with helping the children of Belize, Provenza will be able to do some sightseeing. "In the evenings, when there's not as much to do with the kids, we'll get to take trips," he said, "I heard the Mayan ruins and snorkeling are great."
While Eddins and Provenza won't get a chance to recharge by slathering on the sunscreen and lounging in the sand, they predict that they will nonetheless return from their trips just as rejuvenated or even more so than if they had enjoyed a more traditional spring break. As Provenza put it, "Doing service makes you feel like you're doing something that means something, that's worthwhile. It feels good -- a natural high."
Sun Worshippers
For many students, fantasies of humid tropical air, palms waving in an ocean breeze and a tropical drink melting in your hand have been the only thingkeeping them going despite nightmarish lineups of papers and midterms.
First-year College student Adrienne Lastinger said she has been dreaming of fun in the sun since November, when she and a group of her friends began planning their spring break trip to Nagril, Jamaica.
"One of my friends works for a travel company, and went to Nagril last year, so he planned it out," she said.
Lastinger and her friends arranged to stay on the beach in a hotel that is part of a strip geared towards vacationers.
Nagril is "generally a tourist place, with a lot of college students," Lastinger said.
And lots of tourists means lots of things for them to do -- basking on the beach is only one of many activities available.
"We're going to try to do things like cliff-diving, snorkeling and jet skiing," Lastinger said.
First-year College student Mary Kirk Brady also will be spending her spring break close to the equator. Brady said she and her future apartment-mates are hopping a flight to Nassau in the Bahamas for a week of sun-drenched relaxation.
They'll be staying in a beach front resort and casino and enjoying its abundant amenities.
"We're not sure exactly what activities we'll be doing once we're at the resort," Brady said, "but our agenda will most likely include hanging out on the beach, shopping, boating and possibly scuba-diving."
Brady and her friends got help in planning their Bahamas getaway from STA travel agency, located in Newcomb hall.
"A woman at the agency helped us plan and book the whole trip," she said.
This trip will be a first of sorts for Brady, who has always vacationed with her family during past spring breaks.
"This is the first time I'll be spending spring break without my mom, dad and brothers," she said. This year, she'll have to send them a postcard.
Fat Tuesday
The fact that Mardi Gras falls during spring break this year is a lucky coincidence that hasn't gone unnoticed among students. The idea of a fraternity party atmosphere on a citywide scale is appealing to many college-aged spring breakers.
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