By Brianna Brinker, Staff Writer
Spring break is almost here!
A time for college students to have a week to unwind, visit family and friends, travel to a new spot, and have a break from classes.
Spring break for Saint Leo students is from Mar. 17 until Mar. 23.
It is always exciting to have a break from school, but sometimes it is tricky to pick what you want to do. Some students decide to stay on campus, some students fly home, and some travel with friends to a new destination. There are endless opportunities.
For those who are staying on campus and do not have transportation, there are still ways you can make your spring break an adventure!
Saint Leo University has a beautiful pool right outside the wellness center, take a trip down there, lay in the sun, swim in the infinity pool, and grab a smoothie at Johns Gourmet. It sounds like a perfect day.
Saint Leo also has an incredible lake, try to catch some fish or have fun with the kayaks!
For those who are staying on campus with a means of transportation and want to try something new and local, here are some great spots.
Dade City is known for its farms and animals. There are several farms that offer horseback riding. Spend the day with friends riding through trails and learning a new skill. Places you can ride horseback are Blazing Saddles Ranch, Black Grove Stables, and Choyce LLC.
Another very local place that is perfect for spring break is Mirada Lagoon.
It is about ten minutes from campus and is like a private island in the middle of Dade City. They have water activities such as water slides and kayaking. As well as endless beach chairs, sweet treats, and different food trucks. For an all-day ticket, it is just $10, you won’t want to miss out on this.
We have all heard of Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, and although these are great spots, it is always great to try something new. Check out the Treehouse Aerial Adventure Park which is located in Dade City. You get to climb and go on zip lines for the price of $60, with ten different courses to try. It is cheaper than an amusement park and great for spring break.
For students that are taking the week to go home to visit family and friends and are unsure of what to do throughout the week, here are some fun ideas.
Try a new, exciting challenge. Do a 24-hour challenge outside! If you have a backyard or front yard space, attempt to stay outside for 24 hours. It may seem challenging, but it is a great way to spend the day outside.
Ways to make it fun are tanning, swimming in the pool, playing board games, eating fresh fruit and popsicles, and taking walks to local places, such as outside ice cream shops or walking to the beach. Make sure to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours. At night, make sure to have a mattress or sleeping bag with lots of blankets!
Other ideas to spend your spring break in your hometown are having a picnic with your friends. Grab some sandwiches and snacks and catch up!
Another idea is to try a new coffee shop or ice cream shop. It could end up being your new favorite spot!
Alejandra Felix, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology, says, “I plan on spending time at the beach with friends. What I’m looking forward to most is just enjoying the break, clearing my mind up from my difficult classes, and not having to worry about any due dates.”
If you’re into traveling and seeing new places, there are ways to do so but on the cheaper side for college students.
Go on a road trip, this could be to go visit a friend at a different college or family you have not seen in a long time. This way, you wouldn’t have to pay for a hotel, you could stay with people you are close to, making great memories and saving money.
Take a day trip to a beachy city in Florida. There are so many great destinations in Florida that are not that far from Saint Leo.
For example, Clearwater Beach is only an hour away, Anna Maria and Siesta Key Beach are 2 hours away, and Daytona Beach is 3 hours away.
Make a day out of it, it is free to go lay on the beach and enjoy the sunshine!
Lastly, you can always find a flight on the cheaper side. Go to a new city with friends and explore. Plane tickets can be as low as $50 sometimes if you find the right deal.
Spring break is such a fun time in a college student’s life, make the most out of it and enjoy it Lions!
