By Solen Aref
Reporter
Spring break is almost here and whether you’re going back home or staying in Parkland, from one college student to another, here are some fun ways to make the most of your break!
Get outside:
College students spend a lot of time indoors doing homework, studying and catching up on schoolwork. Now’s your chance to get out in nature and soak in some fresh air! You can explore the local parks in your city, go for a hike, try your hand at gardening, play an outdoor sport or whatever else sounds fun to you!
Explore new businesses in your area:
Chances are that some new businesses opened up in you hometown while you were away at college. Ask around and find out where those businesses are so you can go explore them. Maybe there’s a new ice-cream shop open, or a new store added to your local mall. If you’re staying in Parkland, this is  a chance to go explore some new food or recreation places that you haven’t tried before. Yelp and Google Maps can be your best friend!
Read something besides a textbook:
Thanks to thick textbooks and piles of reading homework, college can make you forget that people read for other reasons… like for fun! Reading a book for no reason besides enjoyment can help you remember that reading doesn’t have to be a chore. Hit up the local libraries and bookstores in your town and pick out a book that sparks your interest. Give it a try, it just might surprise you how much you’ll enjoy it!
Catch up with your loved ones:
It can be hard to maintain strong relationships with loved ones from home while you’re away at college, but now you can spend quality time with them. Make the most of your time by hanging with friends, family and pets that you’ve missed while you’ve been away. Turning off social media and cell phones while on break is a sure way to be present in the company of those you cherish.
Learn to make a recipe:
If you’re tired of eating the same foods in the college, learn to make something new! It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but having a recipe on hand that you can turn to when the same burger and fries gets old can really come in handy.
