By Rabia Ilyas

Staff writer

Spring break is that crucial point in the semester that gives students a break from the hectic cycle of school, work and extracurricular activities. The thought of spending a week in Cancun, Mexico, or walking on the beaches of Miami is every college student’s dream. 

While this sounds like an ideal break, students may regret this amount of relaxation when they get back on campus.

To avoid this feeling of apprehension, students can create a balance between their level of relaxation and their level of productivity. For example, while it is not recommended to read encyclopedias of information over break, it can be beneficial to involve oneself with other activities. Resume writing and networking is a great example.

Many students only focus on school, grades and club activities during the semester. Spring break can be a great time to explore potential internships for the summer. 

Planning ahead is great because it will cause less stress during the few weeks before finals, when everything usually comes crashing down. Applying for jobs and filling out applications to volunteer or shadow a professional during the summer are smart actions. 

Many students, however, do not take advantage of this time, as they are set on being in relaxation mode. But they regret binge watching those seven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy when they get back to school, as they feel they missed out on a time to be productive. Relaxation is important, but balancing your time is key.

Students can also make their break useful by researching their interests. It’s a perfect time to create a checklist of things you want to accomplish throughout your college experience. 

To those who are interested in studying abroad, applying for scholarships and exploring places that interest you will lead to success. Many students do not know what experiences they want until they sit down and soul-search. Spring break is perfect for that, as there is no pressure from classes or assignment deadlines.

Being productive can also mean having fun, however. Some students may use this time to exercise or attend to their health. Doing yoga or engaging in calming activities may prove to be helpful in improving those stress-coping skills that we all search for during finals or exam weeks. 

In addition to rewarding your body, rewarding your mind is more beneficial than wasting your time. You can learn a new activity that you have always been interested in. A personal goal of mine is learning to cook something more exotic than macaroni and cheese.

While the perfect spring break getaway might make you think of warm weather and tropical islands, planning for a spring break that is both productive and relaxing may be more beneficial in the long term. Having that empty feeling of regret when stepping back on campus is something we should all avoid. 

rilyas2@dailyillini.com