Students should opt out of the traditional spring break trip to save money and stay safe.
According to the Spend Matters Network,“College students alone spend more than $1 billion every year on spring break.”
Looking at the average costs of some spring break destinations, specifically in Florida, Tampa serves as a relatively inexpensive getaway to a great city with a lot to do. Plus, a beach is only a 30-minute drive away.
According to CBS News, the average cost of a trip to Tampa during spring break is $1,142. This includes a hotel for six nights at $255, airfare and taxis at $389, and food and drinks at a cost of $498. Not to mention, any number of other expenses may pop up. This is one of the cheaper destinations.
CBS News also reported on the opposite end of the price spectrum. Panama City Beach is one of the more expensive destinations in Florida, with the average cost of a spring break trip at $1,474. This price includes the same factors as the average for Tampa — hotel for six nights at $464, airfare and taxis at $620 and food and drinks at $390. However, money is not everything, and it might not be the only thing you are losing.
We have all seen someone being arrested on spring break whether in viral videos or in person. Either way, that arrest goes on their record, and, depending on the severity of the charge, can have a lasting, negative impact on the rest of their life. It’s not just the perpetrator that should be worried either — victims can have their lives ruined too.
In 2015, a video surfaced of a gang rape of an incapacitated woman as a crowd looked on and did nothing. A shooting also occurred at a house party in the same year that left seven people hospitalized. Spring break culture and mindset leads to dangerous behaviors that we do not normally participate in or witness at “home.”
Years of alcohol-related crimes in Panama City Beach finally resulted in a ban on alcohol at the beach, though it is only during the month of March for spring break. According to an article by ABC, Bay County, which Panama City Beach is located in, reported 420 arrests in 2014. Walton County, home to Miramar Beach, had 574 arrests, and 156 of those were kids under the age of 18.
It’s not just alcohol, but dangerous drugs too — police call them “100-milers.” These people are from the surrounding states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and other places who have “nowhere to stay, but plenty to sell.” Panama City Beach police reported multiple arrests of students possessing marijuana and cocaine. These “100-milers” are often older people too, not students, just trying to make a lot of money before returning home.
This year, try to break the invincible mindset and behavior that is so often associated with spring break. Instead, stay home and take advantage of the fact that lines will be shorter and venues will be less crowded when you go out to have fun. Take some day trips to cities that are close by that you have never been to before. Either way, you’ll save money and avoid the trouble you’ll likely be around on a spring break trip.
