With Ohio University’s spring break just weeks away, Bobcats are already planning for the week-long break from classes.
The university’s break is March 8-14. Emerson Anderson-Feils, a freshman studying philosophy, is looking forward to a weekend trip over the break.
“It's going to be my boyfriend's birthday over spring break,” Anderson-Feils said. “We're going to do a weekend getaway somewhere. We're thinking about maybe just going out to Cleveland for the weekend and doing something together to celebrate.”
Anderson-Feils said her boyfriend’s spring break is a different week, which is why they can only spend a weekend together. Even with the short trip, Anderson-Feils said she is still excited to spend time with her boyfriend and her family.
“This is the first time in the last five years that I'm staying in the country for spring break,” Anderson-Feils said. “I'm kind of excited because it means I get to stay home and relax and not do a ton of stuff, which is great because that's what I have planned for every other break this year.”
It might be beneficial for Anderson-Feils to avoid spring break airline travels, as an AAA report stated the round-trip airfare for the 2025 spring break season was $820 for domestic cities (up 7% from 2024) and $1440 for international cities (up 2%” from 2024).
Although some students plan to travel short distances, others are heading farther from Athens. Sania McGhee, a freshman studying film, is heading to her home in Nashville, Tennessee, over spring break.
“I'm excited to go home to see my family,” McGhee said. “I haven't seen my parents since we came back from winter break and my sister … since the summer (because) she lives in Atlanta.”
Although she is traveling home for the break, McGhee said if she were taking a trip, she would explore New York City. Anderson-Feils said she believes coastal destinations will be popular this year.
“Beaches for sure, especially if you have a friend that lives by the beach,” Anderson-Feils said. “One of my friends lives by Virginia Beach. If I wasn't planning to stay home and do stuff with my boyfriend, I would definitely be going to Virginia Beach with her.”
Larry West, a freshman studying biology, is heading south to sandy shores and warmer weather.
“I am going with the Cru ministry here on campus down to Daytona Beach, Florida,” West said. “We're going to have a Christian conference down there for a week, while also spreading the gospel and evangelizing to people on the beach.”
West agrees with Anderson-Feils that the beaches will be popular among college students.
“I think I'm going to Florida for different reasons than other kids, but I think the beaches of Florida will be busy,” West said.
According to Upgrade Points, both Anderson-Feils and West’s predictions are correct, as Key West, Florida, is the “top-searched domestic spring break destination in 17 states” this year.
West said he already knows lots of people from OU who are going on the trip, but he is hoping to make more connections on vacation. West and others from OU are making the 15-hour road trip to Daytona.
“I think the car ride is (going to) be chill,” West said. “Once we're down there, I think it'll definitely be an upbeat vibe … but from my experience so far, the vibes are always high, people are happy to be there, excited. If they weren't, they wouldn’t go.”
While spring break trips look different for everyone, students are still looking forward to their varying plans.
“I'm excited to get a break from (organic) chem, but mostly just to go share the gospel on the beaches,” West said. “I think it'll be such a great experience.”
Even at home, a break from classes is something every student can appreciate.
“I mainly just plan on going home, visiting some teachers and students from my high school,” McGhee said. “And honestly, bed-rotting, I can't even lie to you.”
