Golden sand between your toes, crisp salt water against your skin and rays of sun beaming down on a body. All these things could be yours over spring break.
But wait.
You have to work.
For some students, that's what their spring break prospects are looking like, and the idea is weighing heavily on some psyches.
Rachael Long, a freshman biology major, said she feels we should have a real break during the semester.
"I think that we need to have a break, but we shouldn't just completely vegetate," Long said.
Long said she only has to work a few days during spring break.
"I only have to do orientation and a few days of training," Long said. "My job helps me balance my down time."
She said her alternative to working on spring break would be worse than being on the job.
"Babysitting my little brother or my cousins is what I would have to do if I didn't work," she said. "I would rather work."
Mary Caldwell, an adjunct sociology professor, said everyone needs a break from time to time.
"A little-known fact for students is that professors actually prepare for class," Caldwell said. "We even work on lectures, grade papers and work on research on spring break, but some of us are smart enough to take off."
She said she feels that taking a break from what you do is good for your mental health.
"My heart goes out to students who have to work over break," Caldwell said.
She said she knows of students who are using their spring break to go to the coast and help rebuild houses.
"I like that they are going to help out when they can, even though it's during break," she said.
Ndungu Mwangi, a graduate student, said he would probably have to work at least three or four days of the break doing research.
"I think that the human body needs rest and if you go too long without it, then your work becomes diminished," Mwangi said.
He said he thinks spring break can be used for many things besides just working.
"I think that spring break should be a time to sit back and self-reflect on the things that you have done in the first half of the semester," Mwangi said. "It's important to identify points of improvement."
He said focusing on academics is important, but there was something that he would rather be doing.
"I'd like to be in Florida, lying on the beach and watching the sun go down," Mwangi said.
Caldwell said she also knows breaks are important to the mind and body.
"Sometimes lying on your butt is good because it's important to replenish yourself," she said.
