March means Spring Break! Missouri State University’s Spring Break Holiday is March 11-19th. Be sure to follow your residence hall guidelines if you’re leaving town or if your residence hall is closing for the week. Be sure to unplug all appliances, take out the trash and perishables before you leave, close the windows, lock the doors, and don’t forget any items you may need or want to take with you. Also be sure to keep your Bear Pass/keys in a safe place over the week so that you have them ready to go when you come back. Alternatively, if you need to stay on campus for Spring Break, check with your RA regarding break housing and dining hours.  

Your Spring Break may look like catching up on sleep, working a lot of hours to make some extra money, studying for upcoming midterms, spending time with family and friends, or maybe you’re going on a fun trip. Regardless of what your plans are, please be careful in your travels and stay safe. If you are of legal drinking age, make responsible choices and be mindful of the fact that as the weather warms up and you’re in the sun for longer periods of time, drinking can become that much more problematic. If you plan to decompress from school by lounging in the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water. 

Some safe travel tips include not going anywhere by yourself if you can keep from it, always tell someone where you’re going beforehand, stay alert and aware of your surroundings, plan ahead, walk/park in well-lit areas at night if you must be out in the dark, and always trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable in a situation, do whatever is necessary to get out of it. 

With these tips in mind, we hope everyone has a safe and fun Spring Break! Try to get lots of rest so that you’re ready to tackle the remainder of the semester when you return on March 20th!