When is College Spring Break?

You know about the different holidays, but do you know when college spring break is? College spring break occurs in late March or early April. This period is a few weeks after winter and before summer. It typically lasts from one to three weeks, depending on the university. The purpose of college spring break is for students to have a chance to relax and enjoy themselves before they start their next semester.

Table of Contents

1. What Is College Spring Break?

College spring break is a time for students to have fun and relieve the stress from their studies. It’s also one of the few occasions where they can drink and chill without worrying about getting in trouble with their school. The tradition dates back to 1962 when it was started by fraternity brothers at Florida State University (FSU) who wanted an excuse to get away from campus and party on the beach during what would typically be exam time. Since then, other schools across America have adopted similar traditions; however, FSU has retained its status as having created college spring break in its original form.

College spring break is a week-long celebration that typically occurs between mid-March and early April every year before the students’ final exams. During this time, they get to take a break from their studies and enjoy the warm weather in places such as Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, or South Padre Island.

During spring break, the most popular destinations for college students are Cancun, Acapulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Oaxaca, Punta Cana, and the Dominican Republic.

2. When Does It Usually Happen?

College students are usually advised to take their spring break during the last two weeks of March. However, some colleges still use a different calendar system on semester scheduling rather than quarter (or trimester) scheduling. This means that the college spring break could happen between December and May. Additionally, if you attend an international school or live abroad, international holidays like Easter or Ramadan may also affect your schedule.

Your college spring break dates will depend on where you go to school and what kind of calendar they may follow. For example, a public four-year university will likely have a later break because they follow the academic calendar. Some community colleges often don’t offer spring break and instead have a ‘mini semester’ in the summer.

The bottom line is that it’s impossible to know for sure when your college spring break will happen until you enter into your first year of higher education!

3. What Is the Purpose of Spring Break?

The official purpose of spring break is for students to enjoy their time off from classes and return refreshed and ready to resume with enthusiasm. This unofficial reason, though, is to party! (Or at least be able to enjoy it!) It doesn’t matter what your primary or school is like; students are there to have fun, make memories, and party before it’s time to buckle down for finals in the spring.

Spring break can be either relaxing or hectic, depending on the schedule you choose. There is no right way to spend spring break! As long as you are safe and having fun, it doesn’t matter what activities you do while on break.

4. What Do You Need to Do to Plan for Your College Spring Break?

The number one thing you can do is start planning your school breaks early! If you’re a freshman, this will be even easier since you don’t have to worry about planning for next year, but it will still be helpful.

It may be more challenging if you are junior or senior because you have to plan around your school breaks, not just yours. Check with your guidance counselor if you’re in that situation! The earlier you start planning your break, the more time you will have to save up because good deals on flights will go pretty quickly!

Another great tip I can give you is to plan your stay around activities other than just partying. Believe it or not, this actually should be the last thing that you worry about while planning for spring break! Partying may be fun and all, but you’re on break to rest, relax, and enjoy yourself. It would be a waste of your time to party all day if you could’ve been doing something else the whole time!

Also, beware of deals that seem too good to be accurate, especially regarding food. You should always plan for college spring break because that way, you will have everything you need! Planning allows you to be more prepared for the break and makes it more accessible.

Lastly, don’t forget to pack some safety items, such as a flashlight with extra batteries or pocket knives. It’s also good to bring some snacks so that if you get hungry, you don’t have to go out of your way for some food.

5. What Do Students Usually Do During College Spring Break?

When it comes to spring break, the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or beach bum, there is something for everyone. Here is a list of some fun things to do during your college spring break:

– Surf in California
– Go skiing in Colorado
– Party in Cancun, Mexico
– Hike the Appalachian Trail
– Explore Jamaica
– Relax on a beach in Florida or California- Go on a cruise
– Take part in an organized student trip, like one to Europe
– Explore the nightlife of New Orleans
– Spend time with friends traveling or visiting their college campus
– Eat lobster in Maine
– Attend a music festival
– Travel to warmer climates like Florida or California

6. What Are the Benefits of Attending College During Spring Break?

Attending your college during your spring break can be beneficial for many reasons!

It may seem like a hassle to fly back and forth to attend classes, but it does have its benefits.

– Save money on housing while you’re away
– Get ahead in your reading and assignments while everyone else is gone
– Take advantage of the lack of students during spring break by going to that particular club or event that isn’t usually possible with the large student body
– Spend some quality time with family and friends who may not be able to travel during the school year
– Use the two-week spring break as a transition period between your first and second semester

7. What’s Unique about Spring Break?

Spring break is one of those “turning of the page” moments when you can start to have fun with being a college student.

It’s the first time where you can finally relax and experience what it means to be a “college kid.” In high school, most students had spring break off from school, but in college, most schools enforce class during this time – leaving very few opportunities to enjoy the spring break to the fullest.

8. How Does It Work?

You are more than welcome to choose your adventure during your spring break. The unofficial start of spring break is usually the Wednesday of spring break.

(Just because Tuesday and Wednesday of spring break are technically still considered part of the school week, it’s also a good idea to get ahead on your reading and assignments during these days if you’re up to it.)

– Some students do their homework while others go out and party – more than likely, you can do both if you want to!

– The week of spring break is usually the most popular time to travel, but this depends on where you are in the world.

– If you’re deciding between traveling or staying at your college, it’s beneficial to see what will happen during your spring break. Is there an event or concert you want to go to?

– If there is a special event going on during your spring break and you don’t feel like dealing with the crazy traveling crowd, why not stay at home and save some cash?

Before you know it, you’ll be singing “Summertime sadness” as summer break approaches.

9. What Are Some Dangers of Spring Break?

Unfortunately, there are many dangerous aspects to spring break.

One of the most common things that occur during spring break is drinking and driving. It’s essential to have a designated driver when going out in groups, especially if you’re exploring different cities.

Another danger is getting scammed by Airborne hosts or being scared into renting overpriced rooms because it’s “spring break.”

Make sure you do your research before traveling to a new place during spring break!

10. Where Should You Go for Spring Break?

American students often travel within the United States to popular destinations like Florida or California during their spring breaks. Others might choose international trips through student travel organizations, and some schools also organize trips abroad that are open for all students.

Don’t limit yourself to just one destination during your spring break. Try and see as many places as you can and take advantage of the time off! (But, try not to spend too much because you’ll be back in school before you know it!)

11. Tips for Packing for College Spring Break Trips

The college spring break is a time for fun and new adventures. But packing can be quite the hassle, especially if you are not familiar with your destination (or even your campus). The following tips will help make this process less stressful:

Know the climate of your destination, so you know what to pack in terms of clothing choices, accessories, etc.
Pack items with multiple purposes, such as a scarf or tie that could double as a headband or belt. This way, when you get there and realize things aren’t going according to plan, it isn’t devastating to find out all the clothes in your suitcase are inappropriate for where you’re going.
Bring a variety of shoes, including sneakers/comfortable shoes for walking around campus, dress shoes for more formal occasions or trips to more excellent restaurants, and flip-flops for the pool/beach. Make sure all your shoes are labeled with permanent markers (helpful if you’re taking off in a rush)
Bring things like shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrush, mouthwash, etc., so you can freshen up once you get there, instead of having to leave early to buy these items.
Bring an umbrella or raincoat just in case it’s raining while you’re there. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared for weather-related surprises!
If your campus or program requires you to book a bus or shuttle, please confirm the schedule and times before you leave. It’s frustrating when you get there and realize there is no way for you to get around!
If it requires planning, don’t pack time-sensitive items. For example, if it requires being picked up at a particular place/time, don’t pack it. Chances are you might not have cell or wifi access once you get there, or worse, your luggage gets delayed.
And most importantly, ELSAH recommends that your first day of arrival should be for relaxing and finding yourself. Many students get picked up at the airport and don’t even get time to unpack before going on a trip or excursion. This is all fun and good, but you want to be sure that when your program leaves for their activities, they know their way around campus and feel comfortable in their surroundings.
If you plan on going to the beach, pack sunscreen/hat/sunglasses. Most beaches don’t allow you to bring these items from home. You can get sunburn pretty quickly if you’re not protecting yourself, so make sure your health comes first!
If you plan on going on a long trip while away, consult your program leaders and ensure they’ll be available while you’re away. You don’t want to make the trip only to find out that they are too busy to be with you when you get there.

12. Conclusion

Spring break is the time of year when college students take a week or two off from classes to enjoy themselves. This tradition has been around for many years and was born out of an American desire to celebrate youthfulness and freedom before entering adulthood, which often came with more responsibilities such as work and family commitments. Spring break in America typically falls between March 1st-14th depending on the school’s academic calendar. Still, other countries have their unique spring breaks celebrated at different times throughout the year. We hope you enjoyed this article about how colleges observe spring break!