With only a few more classes left and the last day of exams just a week away, Dartmouth students are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and their minds are turning to spring break.
"The thought of going to Rome is the only thing keeping me sane right now, in the midst of three final papers, a presentation and finals," Meredith Raucher '06 said.
Raucher spent last spring in Rome on a Dartmouth language study abroad program. Her reason for returning to Italy is both to visit her host family and to show her parents the city where she spent three months.
"I'm really excited to be showing my parents all the things that I loved about Rome and what I did when I was there last spring," Raucher said.
Visiting friends is often a reason for traveling over spring break. Sophomore Christine Pfeiffer '07 is striking out westward to California.
"I am going to L.A. to visit a girl from UCSD who did the Dartmouth exchange Fall term," Pfeiffer said.
Other students are traveling to see places rather than people. A group of friends will be going to Las Vegas to try their luck.
Devika Bakhshi '05 and three friends will spend the upcoming break in Sin City. The seniors chose their destination for a variety of reasons including practicality.
"When you're 21, why go out of the country for spring break?" Bakhshi said.
Travel to warmer climes is not always about drinks with little umbrellas. Some students will be dedicating their breaks to service projects.
This spring, Emily Elliott '06 will be going on her first alternative spring break trip to Florida. In the Sunshine State, Emily and her companions will be volunteering with children at a homeless shelter.
"I've been interested in going on an ASB since freshman year, but this is the first spring break it's worked with my plans," Elliott said.
Other alternative spring breaks this year include a trip to Washington, D.C., led by Lucinda Leung '06.
While warm weather may be a big draw for many spring break destinations, not everyone is venturing that far afield. Brennan Mallonee '04 will be traveling throughout the Northeast. She will be visiting friends in Beantown and exploring the Big Apple.
Not all students, though, are leaving Hanover. Some students are planning to spend their breaks on campus. Zobie Torres '06 will be staying in town for a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the term before getting back to classes. Spring will be Torres' seventh-consecutive term on campus.
Similarly, Liz Norton '05 will be working on her thesis over break. A psychology major, Norton has been scanning brains all term.
Spring break begins this year on Thursday, March 17, and ends with the start of Spring term classes on Tuesday, March 29.