As we all know Spring Break is coming up, so let’s talk about some Tips and Tricks that may come in handy.

When traveling for any occasion the first thing you need to do is make sure that you book all rooms, event tickets, etc. early in advance. When traveling, especially during a time like Spring Break or during holidays, which are known as peak times, the hotels with the best locations tend to fill up early. It is not a super ideal situation to be stuck getting a room far away from your friends- or worse not having a room booked at all.

When traveling to a new location it can be easy to get excited and overpack or think you need that beautiful new watch, that lovely necklace you received for your birthday, etc. When in reality, depending on what you are doing, you more than likely will not wear it. So, just save yourself the trouble and stress and leave it at home. 

Also, when traveling to unknown areas make sure you keep your ID (especially your passport, in foreign countries) on your body at all times. There are amazing “necklace wallets” or wallets that go under your shirt and wrap around your body to keep your cards and ID safe, especially when traveling in unknown crowded places. Taking copies of your identification and storing it in a safe location, in the event the original gets misplaced or stolen, is always a good idea.

When traveling to a different country or even a different state it is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with their laws, especially the gun, drinking, and smoking laws or other laws you are unsure about. Understand that laws vary depending on your location, as well as the punishment for breaking them. 

Another situation to be aware of is buying alcohol or tobacco products for minors, remember that the age for both nationwide is 21 years old. If you are unsure of the person’s age, ask for their ID. It is better to be safe, than sorry. The main goal is to have a fun Spring Break and return to campus safely!  

When traveling to new locations it is always best to travel with another person. The buddy system is tried and true. Benefits of having a travel partner include: passenger DJ (so the driver does not get distracted), second set of eyes on the road (in the event an accident has occurred or someone is driving poorly near you), second driver (to prevent drowsy driving), and just another person to talk to is always nice. Once you arrive at your location, having another person or multiple people with you is also better for safety reasons. When traveling alone in a new location it is easy to pick the tourist out, especially if it is a tourist destination. That can make a person an easy target for being robbed, mugged, or bothered in general. You decrease your chances of that happening by having another person or two with you.

It is also a good idea to have a trusted friend with you in case you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Having a code word to use when things start to feel uncomfortable and you want to leave,is a good way to let your friend know that you want to leave without drawing too much attention to yourself. 

Overall, make sure that you have a good spring break. As college students, we only get so many breaks during the semester, be sure to rest, relax, and most importantly have fun. 

Have a fun and safe spring break.