As we approach the first week of March, group chats titled “SPRING BREAK 2026” have only been ramping up as most students finalize their flights and book their Airbnbs. Long before the first syllabi were handed out, the countdown had already begun.
Source: Lynne Sladky, AP Photo
“Spring break is all I’ve been thinking about since the last semester began,” said sophomore Blake Mattesitch. “My boys and I have been planning a Punta Cana getaway since April last year. I feel like Spring Break is just a great opportunity to live life to the fullest.”
What was once a simple getaway for students at Sacred Heart University has evolved into a fully coordinated event inspired by travel influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and the pressure to make the most memories possible in only a single week off.
“We won’t have a spring break all our lives once we get jobs in the real world. You gotta take advantage of what you have while you have it,” said Mattesitch
The price for living life to the fullest, however, can vary. “The amount of money I’m spending on punta would make Scrooge McDuck blush. We’ve saved up for a full year for this, summer and winter break jobs, Christmas money. I think altogether our group budget is $8000. Some of the guys got some money from their parents, too. We each spent like $350 on the plane, and $1200 on the Airbnb,” said Mattessitch.
Although the same extreme planning process can’t be said for all of SHU students. “I planned my spring break trip pretty last-minute, actually,” said senior Liana Haggerty. “I planned my destination based on price because flights were much cheaper to Tampa than many other destinations in Florida.”
Not every SHU student has their heart set on a warm destination, though, as senior Ayden Giacomelli plans to fly west to ski at Breckenridge, CO. “I’ve been told by my family that Breckenridge is a really good time and has some unreal powder for skiing,” said Giacomelli.
While some students have the means to live spring break with seemingly no limit on their credit cards, others try their best to “ball on a budget.”
“We’re going as cheap as possible,” said sophomore Alek Rencurrel. “We booked a motel, and we’re doing 4 guys in a room, splitting the cost of everything and flying Spirit Airlines.”
With so many different destinations in mind, it is interesting to hear from students, “What defines a successful spring break?”
“I would define a ‘successful’ break as getting to relax and forget about classes for a little bit while enjoying a new place,” said Giacomelli.”
For some students, spring break is about beaches and nightlife. For others, it’s skiing, staying home, or simply catching up on rest. No matter the destination, the anticipation alone has been finding its way into campus conversations.
As the first week of March draws closer, the group chats grow louder, and the weather apps refresh more frequently, clearly counting down the days.
