It’s hard to scroll through social media nowadays and not become jealous of other peoples’ lives, especially during spring break. My feed during break is flooded with photos of my friends living it up somewhere tropical, sipping on a cold drink and looking perfectly tanned. After admiring their perfect photos for a moment, I remember my pale complexion and absence of a tropical cocktail and jealousy begins to set in. I always wonder how my friends are able to afford to spend their spring break traveling when I can barely afford my groceries for the week! Instead of wallowing in self-pity and trying to live vicariously through their posts, I have compiled a list of fun, affordable ways to spend spring break at home. Though these tips do not include getting a gorgeous tan or the perfect Instagram photo, they are a way to relax and make the most of your time off.

Idea 1: At Home Spa

Supplies needed:
•    Face Mask
•    Nail File
•    Nail Polish

      After spending hours studying and being stressed out throughout the semester, relaxation time is necessary. In order to refuel yourself for the remainder of the grueling semester, I would suggest having a “spa day”. Due to the fact that traditional spas can be fairly expensive, I recommend hosting a spa day at home. Invite your friends, your family members, or just have a relaxing day to yourself and let the rejuvenation begin! The first step to my at home spa day is putting on a facemask. Facemasks can be purchased at just about every drugstore around, and range in price starting at just around $2.00. Applying a facemask always makes my skin feel moisturized, clean and refreshed. Facemasks can help to remove dead skin and enhance the look and feel of your skin. In about ten minutes you will be feeling like brand new! The final step to a spa day is giving yourself a manicure and pedicure. After a tough few weeks at school, your fingernails and toenails may have become worn down and unpolished. Due to constricting schedules, it is difficult to make time to ensure that our fingernails and toenails are looking their best. Start by cutting or filing your nails down to the desired length and smoothness and then apply a few coats of nail polish. That’s it! In a matter of minutes your fingers and toes will look and feel fresh.  Whenever I have my nails and toes painted, it makes me feel more put together and confident. This at home spa day can be a great way to catch up with friends and family, or a few quiet moments of rest and relaxation that are essential to every college student!

Idea 2: “A Day at the Movies”

Supplies needed:
•    Streaming Service, DVDs or OnDemand
•    Snacks

      Watching movies is one of the best forms of escapism available. In a matter of minutes, you are able to be transported out of your life and into the world of someone or something completely different. With the stress of impending deadlines and the pressure to succeed in school, college students sometimes need to escape their reality, if only for a few hours. A fun way to escape the real world on spring break would be to host “a day at the movies”. I recommend that this movie day occur at home so that you can avoid the steep prices of movie tickets and snacks at the theater. Again, invite some friends, grab your family, or just indulge in watching movies alone. In order to make the most of this movie day, I would suggest choosing a movie category that has sequels to keep the marathon going. A necessity to any enjoyable movie day is also snacks. Usually, most opt for popcorn and candy during a movie, but since you are at home, your snack options are limitless! Overall, a movie day provides relaxation, snacks and a break from reality, all things that are necessary for survival in college and in life.

Idea 3: “Study Café”

Supplies needed:
•    Coffee or beverage
    of choice
•    Cookies or baked goods of choice
•    Material to work on

      Though we are on a break, deadlines and due dates are still quickly approaching. Spring break is a great period of time to get caught up on work that you fell behind on or to prepare for what is coming. I know that this is not the way that you want to spend your spring break, but you will thank yourself later for the work that you put in on your time off. To make this process more bearable and borderline enjoyable, I would suggest turning your current study space into a “study café”. Going to your local coffee shop to work and study is fun, but overpriced and sometimes crowded. I recommend inviting some friends over who also need to do schoolwork and motivating each other to be productive. By brewing a pot of coffee for yourself and your friends and baking some cookies or other baked goods, you are able to recreate your favorite coffee shop in the comfort of your own home! This is a cost-effective and semi-enjoyable way to be productive with fewer distractions.

     Overall, spring break is about making the most of your time off while you can. These are a few ways that you could spend some down time on spring break without going broke. By doing one of these ideas, (or all three) you are guaranteed to appreciate your time off. I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable spring break!