Spring break is an ideal time for high school students to slow down from their busy schedules. A week of rest before the anticipated start of the fourth quarter is  a gift to many. However, if you don’t have a vacation planned, it can be easy to stay inside and let boredom take its toll.

If weather allows, consider spending some time outside. This is especially fitting for dog owners, as your pet can benefit from fresh air too.

Social studies teacher Angie DalBello routinely walks her dog 3.3 miles every day and enjoys it for many reasons. 

“I have some of my best ideas when I’m walking,” DalBello said. “I’m taking in beautiful scenery, but I love to listen to podcasts and audiobooks as well. I’m always learning and listening to things along the way.”

Taking a walk is completely free and can allow you to check in with your mind in the midst of your day. 

“It’s totally ‘me’ time,” DalBello said. “Despite how busy or hectic a day may be, I know I’m going to get that 53 minutes to do what I like and make my dog happy.” 

For those looking to socialize, going out to get food is a great way to spend time with friends over break. 

Senior Anna Stottlemyre frequently makes trips to places like Andy’s Ice Cream, Tropical Smoothie and Sushi UNI with her friends.  

“Pretty much everyone likes getting food,” Stottlemyre said. “You can go get dinner, or just something small like a smoothie or ice cream.” 

Not only will this satisfy snack cravings, you can spend quality time with others. 

“It gives me and my friends something to do,” Stottlemyre said. “We listen to music while we drive there and jam out in the car.”

Lastly, consider taking a shopping trip to get out of the house. While this activity may cost more money, it can still be fun. 

Senior Tierney Fields is among many students who like to shop. Fields often goes to Town Center with her sisters to shop at stores like Lululemon.  

“You can spend time with whoever you’re shopping with,” Fields said. “You can [also] buy new clothes for summer, or for your summer vacation even.” 

According to Fields, buying new things can bring a sense of gratification. 

“[Buying new clothes] makes me feel excited,” Fields said. “I like putting outfits together, so new things make[s] for more outfits.”

No matter how you choose to spend your spring break, these activities will keep you from feeling stuck in your house through taking mental breaks, getting a dose of fresh air and spending time with friends and family.

Spring break is right around the corner and people may be staying home, but there are some books, movies and tv shows that students think are worth experiencing this break.

Recently, Colleen Hoover’s books have gained a lot of popularity. Hoover is best known for her 2016 romance novel “It Ends With Us” but has also written 23 other books to check out. Senior Jayda DeWitte, who heard about the books from friends, believes the books were made popular over TikTok. 

“[I started reading them] because I saw them everywhere and a lot of people said they were good and I needed a new book,” DeWitte said. “I also heard about them from TikTok.”

DeWitte says the books are good because of the story and how the author keeps you drawn in the whole time to what is happening. She is on her sixth book and says she recommends the books because of the variety. 

“I like that they always hook you in right from the start and keep you interested the whole book,” DeWitte said. “I would recommend them because there are so many to choose from and I haven’t read one I don’t like yet.”

For those interested in reading any of Colleen Hoover’s books over the break, they are available to check out at the Johnson County Library. 

“Outer Banks” is a show that has gotten increasingly popular in the last few years. Season three just got released in February of this year. Junior Regan Roberts has been a fan of the show for a while and enjoyed the third season, It didn’t take her long to watch, and Roberts believes season two was the best. 

“It took me two days to watch the whole season,” Roberts said. “Season two was my favorite though because my favorite part of the show was when John B and Sarah reunited with Pope, JJ, Kiara.”

For those in need of a new show to watch over break, Roberts would recommend “Outer Banks.”

“I would recommend this show to others because the characters do a really good job in the show,” Roberts said. 

Another thing worth watching over break could be the new movie, “Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania.” This movie was released Monday, Feb. 6 of this year, and is the third movie in the Antman series. Senior Alyssa Dierking said that although she hasn’t watched a lot of Marvel movies, the movie was entertaining. 

“I really enjoyed Antman because I don’t like Marvel movies and I thought that that was one good Marvel movie I’ve actually seen,” Dierking said. 

Dierking thinks it is worth it to see it in the theaters, especially with special features like 4XD. According to Dierking the experience is very surreal and it feels like you’re in the movie.

“It felt very trippy and you literally felt like you were in a different universe,” Dierking said. “I definitely think it’s worth it, especially if you get the 4XD version that sort of lets you move with the movie.”

One of these students is sophomore Ronan Myers, who is vacationing to London this Spring break. Myers explains why he likes going on vacation over break.

“I think it’s always just fun to go out and do something,” Myers said. “It’s a good time. It gives me a chance to spend time with my family and get away from here.”

Spring break is an especially popular time for vacations, in part, because of its convenient location in the year. This is true for freshman Jacob Krosky and his family, who are going to several cities in Colorado.

“[We like Spring Break] because we don’t like going over Christmas break because it’s always busy and my birthday was over the February break we just had,” Krosky said. “Spring break is just the next week.”

Similarly, senior Mallory Botts is going on the band trip to Disney World this year, which takes place over the break. She explains why she is excited about the trip being over Spring break.

“I like that [it is over Spring break] because I normally don’t go on trips over Spring break,” Botts said. “I normally just go on a summer vacation with my family. I like having it to look forward to.”

Being in a destination with many activities unique to that place can be another benefit of vacations. Krosky describes the many plans his family has for their trip to Colorado.

“The first few days of spring break, we’re going hiking with our cousins,” Krosky said. “Then after that, we’re going to Breckenridge to ski. We’re going to go one day in Breckenridge and drive over to Vail because it’s close, ski one day there and then back to [Breckenridge].

Mountains are not the only fun thing to explore on vacation, though. Looking forward to his Spring break trip, Myers explains what he is most excited to do in London.

“I’m excited to go to the markets down by the sea and I’m excited to go to a soccer game there,” Myers said.