SB13: Going home?

Sadly, you’re not jetting off to the beach, but you wouldn’t be caught dead hanging around the ghost town Bloomington will become. Instead, for spring break you’re headed home, to a familiar land where fridges are fully stocked and the floors don’t reek of stale beer and day-old Pizza X.  Sure, being home isn’t always easy. Parents feel like they still need to monitor your every move, and the confines of your bedroom will slowly but surely begin to close in.

But it isn’t all that bad. Here’s a list of things you may want to consider doing while you’re home over break, lest you get suckered into watching hours upon hours of Lifetime movies with your mom — unless that’s your thing.

Visit your old high school, middle school or elementary school

Yes, it’s as lame as it sounds. But there must be some good reason you haven’t considered. Maybe you have a sibling and you could take them lunch. Nothing could be cooler to them than their college-aged big brother or sister bringing them some swanky meal, like sushi or Chipotle. Or perhaps you haven’t seen that one teacher who you really connected with in a while. Dropping in would be a nice reminder of how much you’ve progressed since graduating and where you still plan to go. Seeing tiny playground equipment that used to look so huge is always a nice bit of nostalgia. And let’s be honest: being a suave college kid around scads of pimply teenagers does make you feel pretty good about yourself.

Find a show you’ve never seen on Netflix and watch the whole series

Surely there’s that one TV show you’ve never watched that everyone has always told you need to check out. Or maybe you’re like me and you pretend you’ve seen “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” so people won’t judge you. Either way, see what Netflix recommends for you and knock out season after season to avoid doing anything productive.

Work on the spring break beach body you don’t need

Sure, you won’t be hitting the sand and showing off your flat, oily stomach, but that’s no reason not to hit the gym or go for a run. Take the time away from classes and boozing to cleanse your system and start spring off on the right foot. Running around your neighborhood is a lot less intimidating than trying to keep up with all the inhumanly attractive, eternally energetic marathoners casually running around campus.

Actually read a book for pleasure

With all the reading we have to complete for classes, students rarely have time to read for fun. Spring break is the perfect time to lock yourself in your room and read that novel that’s been gathering dust on your desk for months. If nothing else, read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” for the ninth time.

Plan a day visit to a big city

Assuming you’re cooped up in the suburbs, get together with your friends and road trip to the closest major city. Shop, see a show, explore a museum or find a hole-in-the-wall dive with great food. Pretend you’re a cool city slicker/actual adult.

Reorganize your bedroom and closet

Nothing says spring cleaning like taking the time to change it up in your bedroom at home. Seeing as you’ll spend plenty of time in there avoiding your family, you may as well take that Fall Out Boy poster off the wall and find a new corner for your bed. Also, donate anything to Goodwill with Hollister or Aeropostale across the chest. You’ll thank me later.

Find your center

Now is the perfect time to spend copious amounts of money on yoga sessions at your nearest studio. While approximately $15 per single session normally may seem high, just think of all the money you’re saving by not buying souvenirs and plane tickets. Yoga is a great way to increase flexibility, relax and feel at peace. Afraid you won’t be able to keep up? Just stay in child’s pose the entire time – yes, this is acceptable – and take some time to clear your mind. Just try not to fall asleep. Plus, at the end of most sessions, most yoga studios rub your neck with lavender oil and offer free tea, so your $15 is totally worth it.