As you're reading this, I'm currently enjoying my first and last spring break.
Our society, provided you're fortunate enough to attend a four-year institution after high school, allows for sixteen "spring breaks" before locking you into a full-time year- round job where vacation time is earned only after you're too old to enjoy it.
The true potential for this week peaks in college, when it's no longer fashionable to take a family vacation and students finally have the money to waste on hedonistic pleasures.
I've always said that college would be great if it weren't for the classes, and for this week, my dream is realized.
Having taken road trips to Canada with friends, relaxed at home and found inebriation at other colleges, I wasn't going to graduate into the real world without having experienced a real spring break.
Booking a five-day all-inclusive resort in Jamaica left me without enough money for traveler's insurance. Hell, insurance is for adults with responsibilities, I figured, and this week means no refunds, no regrets.
The juxtaposition of the words "spring" and "break" immediately bring to mind images of beaches and babes. Blame MTV and "Girls Gone Wild," but this week of freedom from routine student slavery can turn even the quiet librarian's aid into the alcohol-addled sorority girl.
And the formula is simple. Give college students from all over the country a week to meet, alcohol to drink, music to dance to, and you have a nationwide party.
The trick is to let yourself go crazy. Society places everyone into a box that defines what's appropriate and inappropriate, normal and weird, traditional and unconventional. People spend their entire lives looking for an opportunity to break free of those restraints for just a few moments, forcing many to find outlets in substance abuse and self-destructive behavior.
Spring break is the chance you've been looking for, because as I always tell myself, you'll never see these people again and if you do, who really cares what they think? Hit the dance floor, talk to that strange female, try that exotic drink-you have the perfect excuse: it's spring break.
It is important that spring break remains the rite of passage it has served for many now-responsible adults. Looking back to "senior week" (or "beach week") I cannot give enough emphasis to the practical experience I gained by organizing a hotel for a week, experimenting with alcohol, and socializing with the opposite sex.
I thank the many adults for disapproving of such debauchery, or so many young adults might not go through with it.
As for preparing for spring break, again, I'm glad I'm a guy. Preferring not to pay for cancer, I stay away from the Chestertown tanning salons (isn't the point to come back looking tan?) Packing will take literally minutes: sandals, suntan lotion, sunglasses, bathing suit, t-shirts, camera, and iPod.
Cliff jumping next to the resort beach sounds pretty nice, but I have a feeling it'll be the little things that will make this spring break special.
Instead of Milwaukee's Best, it's Red Stripe, and Appleton Rum instead of Chesapeake. Blue water as opposed to brown. Jerk Chicken in place of Salisbury Steak. Room service knocking at your door instead of Public Safety. No cell phones or urgent e-mails to answer.
Sometimes it's nice to leave the American Dream behind and find the college dream during spring break.
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