In spite of predictions by groundhogs, University students are thinking about warm weather – even if they have to wait until spring break to enjoy it.

It’s no surprise that the typical southern flock will happen in March, but unlike most years, this spring break will see many students going to hot spots other than the typical Cancun.

April Thaxter, manager at Travel Cuts on Green Street, said certain students have a particular interest in places like Costa Rica and the Dominican that are warm but offer more than constant partying.

“There’s such a different type of atmosphere there,” Thaxter said. “They have an option to do something totally different. They are more likely to try things like parasailing or windsurfing.”

Thaxter said that graduating seniors and grad students have more of an interest in these types of places this year and that they are looking for something other than the “full-on party for seven days.”

This trend is so dominant that the Dominican has become the number one spring break destination for Travel Cuts this year as opposed to most years where Cancun and Acapulco reign supreme. One part of spring break, however, has not changed. Students still want warm weather.

Leanne Trapp, junior in LAS, and her three roommates wanted to make sure they went someplace warm. When they heard from friends that Acapulco, Mexico, was the best place to go, they headed to Travel Cuts to set up their week-long trip of lying out in the sun and hitting the local clubs.

Other students, however, have taken planning their trip upon themselves.

Michael Kite, senior in LAS, and his seven friends took it upon themselves to plan a spring break trip to South Padre Island, Texas, with one major factor in mind – cost. Unlike most groups of girls who Thaxter said prefer to stay somewhere classy for spring break, Kite said his group of all guys will be driving to Texas and staying in less than fabulous hotels.

“We’ll probably have to lock our doors at night,” Kite said.

According to Thaxter, the major difference between groups of guys and groups of girls who go on spring break are the accommodations they demand. For safety purposes, Thaxter does not recommend girls stay in lower class hotels because they more than likely will be in sketchy neighborhoods unsafe for a group of girls. Guys typically do not care about where they stay as much.

“Girls want cleanliness,” Thaxter said. “Whereas guys, not so much. All they want is a bed.”

Thaxter said that whether traveling with a group of guys or a group of girls there is one major rule when planning a spring break trip – sooner is better than later. The best time to plan a trip is October when the plane tickets are cheapest, Thaxter said. This is also when the spring break companies are giving away more deals, such as receiving the first 50 drinks free with their travel packages.

But for people like Kite who are planning their own vacation, uncertainty can be just as exciting.

“I don’t know anyone who’s been there,” Kite said. “But I assume good things should occur.”