Top 10 Ideas for Your School Break

By Aimee Hosler | Mar 21, 2011

Your school break is here (sirens yelp, streamers fly). Now what? Breaks aren't just fun, they're downright essential for busy students at risk of burnout. Even those attending online colleges--you know, the ones who don't have to put on pants or fight traffic to get to class--need a change in routine now and again to keep them sharp. Not sure how to spend your precious vacation? Here are our top 10 ways to spend your school break. We've tried to include ideas for every type of person, from movers-and-shakers to couch potatoes.

Unwind or Recharge with These Top 10 School Break Ideas

1. Just take it easy.

From complicated social dynamics to unforgiving professors, school can be tremendously stressful. Sometimes all you need to recover is a little you time at home. It's okay to be lazy sometimes. No parties, no busy airports; just peace, quiet, and extra sleep.

2. Reconnect with friends and family.

School keeps you busy--sometimes too busy to maintain your relationships. School breaks are the perfect time to reconnect with your loved ones.

3. Hit the road!

What better way to spend your break than stuffing your car with bags and friends and hitting the road? Just be safe!

4. Give back.

You know you're fortunate to have the opportunity to invest in your education and yourself. Why not pay it forward and help those who aren't faring so well? Work with a charity, volunteer, or spend time with kids in need.

5. Take a retreat.

From peaceful getaways to all-out fitness excursions, retreats are the perfect way to invest in your emotional and physical wellness, helping you recharge in time for school.

6. Get out.

Leave your laptop and iPhone at home! Trek Yosemite, take a surf lesson, or start a garden. Take this break as an opportunity to get back in touch with nature, or at least get some fresh air and exercise.

7. Grab your backpack.

So long as you're old and travel-savvy enough, backpacking through a foreign country or even another state is a great way to exercise your freedom and independence. Just make sure you don't go solo and that your loved ones know how to get in touch with you.

8. Kindle your creativity.

You don't have to paint a masterpiece or write the Great American Novel, but finding a new, creative hobby can reinvigorate your passions and provide a new way to relieve stress when classes resume.

9. Build something (but watch the thumbs!).

Love robots? Or maybe your snake could use a new enclosure. However big or small the project, setting your mind to something, using your problem solving skills, and actually having something tangible to show for your efforts is an excellent way to build self confidence and just take a break from the usual stresses of school life.

10. Get organized. Really!

Maybe you don't want to spend your school break scrubbing toilets, but taking the time to get things cleaned up and organized can make life that much more manageable when school starts back up.