Thousands of college students cram onto one beach with beer bongs not too far out of reach, with a consistent flow of every type of alcohol imaginable. Music blares from every direction and the weather is just perfect for a keg stand. Yes, this is the typical spring break that all college students picture for themselves. 

Or is it? Today there is almost an expectation for the average college student to follow through with this idealistic spring break once classes are out, but are the Illini who choose alternative options really missing out? Beaches, bikinis and booze may not be the only equation for an enjoyable spring break, and students at the University are switching it up.

Sean Julian, sophomore in ACES, originally planned on this type of spring break. She put down a standard down payment to join the large portion of the Greek system in South Padre Island, Tex. and was ready for the insanity to begin. However, her plans took a 180 turn at the last minute, and she ended up in Florida with three of her close friends at a family member’s home. Although Panama City Beach was not too far away, Julian and her friends chose to make it a relaxing break.  

“It was kind of nice to just lay on a beach without a million people around — it actually felt like a break,” she said.

Even without going to a beach, Jensen Rafool, sophomore in AHS, spent an enjoyable spring break at home. The idea of an alternative spring break is nothing new to Rafool — she chose to opt for a different type of a break last year as well. 

“Me and a bunch of my friends went to Gatlinburg, and it was honestly one of the best times,” Rafool said. 

In Gatlinburg, Tenn.  Rafool and her friends went hiking in the mountains and hung out in their cabin. A beach may have been missing, but she believes it was just as much fun as any other spring break she could have had.

Relaxing breaks are always a nice option — especially after midterms and extensive projects — but of course there are those Illini who would not settle for a moment of quiet with the possibility of a week with no regrets. Tessa McNulty, sophomore in Media, left the University on Mar. 15 on the 22-hour car ride to South Padre Island, Tex.

Despite the grueling ride there, she said it was all worth it once she made it to the beach along with what seemed to be thousands of other college students. The week on the island consisted of long hot days, booze cruises and pool parties. Sleep was not an option, and meals came secondary to another handle of Bacardi.

Is there pressure to conform to the typical spring break? Possibly, but students such as McNulty considered it an opportunity they just couldn’t pass up. While the standard idea of spring break may be more popular, those who chose an actual “break” found it to be well worth it. With the pressure of school and exams a constant bombardment, sometimes an actual spring break is needed to continue through the semester. 

Christen is a sophomore in Media and can be reached at [email protected].