spring break
Stay distanced, safe, and always check before yours plans to travel. Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP

Spring break is a rite of passage in US unis. It all began in the 1930s when Sam Ingram, a coach at Colgate University, took his swim team from Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale to practise. This idea stuck with other college swim coaches, so it became an annual tradition for swimmers nationwide.

Enter the 40s and 50s, when Florida became the spot to be for swimmers. The party followed. Then, college students started organising more trips further south: Cancun, Miami, Cabos, Jamaica, Bahamas, and so on. This tradition was picked up by other countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Kuwait and Georgia, among others.

Today, it’s become the week-long party sesh where students let loose somewhere by the coast near Mexico enjoying tequila shots. That’s highly unlikely in the middle of this pandemic, unfortunately, so here are some alternatives to consider: 

A different kind of travel

You’d have to check with your college to see if spring break has been officially cancelled or postponed. Boston College cancelled its scheduled spring break in March, while the University of Michigan removed spring break and added two “well-being break” days to their winter term. 

Nope, not in 2021. Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret Pink/AFP

If your uni is letting you celebrate spring break, bid adieu to mass gatherings. You can also expect to cross Mexico off your list as the US-Mexico border is closed for now. The US, Canada and Mexico have extended nonessential travel restrictions till March 21 to contain the pandemic, the US Department of Homeland Security.

The Caribbean Islands are still welcoming Americans but there’s a catch. You might have to stay at a designated resort upon arrival and present a negative COVID-19 test.

Spa-cation break

With all the stress from assignments, work and presentations, why not organise a day of pampering and self-care? You could do this in a dorm with classmates and create stations for nails, skin care and hair along with a friend who has skills. 

Games 

Recreate trips to theme parks by getting creative with your space. You could even organise an obstacle course, water balloons, and so forth. Not only is this fun, it’s also healthy, as long as you comply with physical distancing rules.

The future is virtual

You can still enjoy sightseeing — with a bottle of tequila in hand, we won’t judge — with virtual tours. Why not pretend you’re in Playa del Carmen? It’s definitely a better option than moping!