Spring break is a time for college students to break free from bending over backwards in the library. So many elements collide over this break—escapism, indulgence, and even self-discovery. Its exaggeration in the media makes the evolution and history of spring break enticing. 

Movies like “Where the Boys Are” (1960) and more recently “Spring Breakers” (2012) glamorize this idea of partying, heavy drinking, and swimsuits. These portrayals define spring break for Americans. But how did this weeklong vacation jumpstart a billion-dollar industry?

In Ancient Greece, there would be a three-day “awakening” during spring that would worship Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. Days full of inventing democracy, philosophy, and medicine were apparently so stressful that it caused the invention of what we now call spring break. As someone of Greek heritage, tracing contemporary practices back to my ancestors is exciting.

Within the last century, the spring break we know started in 1936 with the Colgate University swim team. Each year at the end of March, the New York–based team took their practice down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to train in an Olympic-sized pool, which made other teams follow suit. These collegiate athletes also excelled in partying, and word got back to their northern campus that Florida was where the vibes were at for, what was then, “Easter” break. 

After the release of “Where the Boys are” in 1960, Fort Lauderdale saw a whopping 350,000 visitors in 1985. In response, the mayor told travellers to take their break somewhere else in a Good Morning America interview. The overflow then moved to Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach. 

Personally, spring break has always been a time of reflection and relaxation. I am not a big partier, but I find the most benefits of blowing off steam from school by reading, learning something new, or watching a movie or TV show that’s been on my list for a while. A meaningful travel experience is something more obvious. Even going somewhere you’ve never been, such as a restaurant or museum nearby, has a better impact on yourself. 

Maybe it is because I attend Emerson, but I do feel like the “traditional” Florida spring break has changed. A lot of my peers have said they are going home or travelling with their family. I believe this reflects a lot of today’s principles and how they are changing for younger generations. Party culture has changed a lot today, with more safety protocols and a focus on diverse social activities. Also, with so much advocacy around mental health, avoiding an environment where there is excessive alcohol and heavy drinking can help prevent stress and extreme anxiety. There is already plenty of that on campus.

The duality of spring break is fascinating. I have engaged in a lot of conversations this month with my peers who are either saying they are going to relax and take time to do something they enjoy or escape student life as a whole and party. I wonder what spring break culture will be when my kids are in college: Will they be planning to do keg stands or will they want to take a much needed break at home?