A Cool Person’s Guide for Spring Break

As spring approaches, we await the most glorious annual event of all: Spring Break. This year, Wayne Public Schools grant students Spring Break from Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 15 (which is Good Friday). This recess will welcome us with open arms, gifting us a break from the demands of our classes—and hopefully ushering in days colored by warm, bright weather. Your family may already have plans for Spring Break; perhaps a nice vacation in Florida or a Jersey Shore getaway. But what if you have nothing planned? I’ve got you covered.

Number 1: Read. I know that many students our age wouldn’t pick reading as their top leisure activity, but there truly is a book out there for everyone. Since TikTok has become a major source of information for our generation, try diving into “BookTok”—the side of the app that provides book recommendations and literary discourse. There, I can guarantee that you will find enjoyable books worth your time. Some of my personal favorites are The Folk of the Air fantasy trilogy by Holly Black (I read the trilogy in 2019 and still think about it to this day), the contemporary All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (prepare for tears), Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel (a thriller that demands to be read in one sitting), We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (a contemporary novel with a twist), the gripping mystery A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, and the romantic The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Once you find your favorite genre, stick with it! Think about this: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” If I were you, I would take that opportunity.

Number 2: Try paper crafts. We often underestimate how much fun it is to create things out of paper. You can start off easy; TikTok, once again, has lots of tutorials; I have seen people make little flowers and bouquets, paper rings, little paper boxes, and so much more. It is a hands-on activity and quite an impressive skill.

Number 3: Go outdoors. You may not have a vacation planned, but that does not mean you have to stay locked up in your house. Take a walk, exercise, explore your backyard, visit local cafes and shops. Get out into nature; we can even engage with the world around us by going outside and taking pictures. If you print these pictures (or draw them) and put them in a journal, you can record your observations and thoughts alongside the visuals. This activity can help us to be mindful, take us away from social media, and provide us with some sunlight and fresh air.

Number 4: Cook or bake. Not only is the process fun, but the results are delicious. Think of your favorite meals, explore YouTube, Google, and TikTok for recipes, and see how you do! If you’re successful, you can share your creations with your friends! Don’t forget to record or save the recipes you like in your notes for future reference. All the failures will be worth the final pride, joy, and flavor of the end results.

Number 5: Get some sleep and spend time on activities that you enjoy. This is your time to rest and recharge as best as you can. Participate in activities that energize you rather than deplete you. I wish you luck, and I hope your Spring Break treats you well!