It has taken forever, but it is finally just around the corner: spring break 2009! Long awaited, it often seems like Binghamton University has spring break much later than most colleges, but perhaps it is just a trend within the SUNY system. Besides the students at University at Buffalo who had their break almost a month ago, fellow university centers Albany and Stony Brook will have break times that overlap with our own (April 4 to April 13). It is just a shame that we here at BU have had to endure the cold winter without this recess, and just when the weather starts to warm up we’re given the boot to go back home.
In any case, this is not a time for sorrow! With break upon us, there are many different paths one can choose to take during the recess. Some students will surely stay right here in Binghamton, which, despite the somewhat rugged reputation the city has earned, often proves to be an exciting place to spend vacations. Others of course will head back home with money to be made, jobs to interview for and time to waste. If you choose this alternative, then break can also double as a great time to get ahead on class work and lighten your load for the remainder of semester.
While this is terrific way to spend recess, it is not quite the image most Americans think about when those two magical words of “spring” and “break” are used consecutively; you can expect that some Binghamton students will have this kind of break as well, though. Long nights on the coast, partying and dancing the week away — it is a tempting way to spend break, isn’t it? On the bright side, thanks to the current economic situation (and a U.S. State Department Travel Alert to Mexico), the chances of you ending up green with envy if you’re not one of the people going on these trips has been drastically reduced.
However, who says that staying up north cannot be fun either? There are many ways to settle for a cheaper spring break than flying south if you want to have a week out on the town — all it takes is a little brainstorming, a few good friends who know the area and a town that tolerates college kids.
Should you choose to spend time over break adding a little spice to your life, it’ll be worth remembering the same tips that are applicable to the Binghamton party scene — don’t take drinks from strangers, don’t go wandering off alone into neighborhoods you do not know and always approach all situations with caution when your judgment may be impaired (by whatever the hell you may, or may not, be taking).
With all that covered, go out and have a good time, Binghamton!