The truth about spring break
Health, Safety, and Well-being
January 28, 2015
A new academic term has just started on college and university campuses across the nation, and I am asking you to think about spring break! Although it may be many weeks away, students are already looking forward to the respite from academics, so it is time to begin planning how to help students have a safe spring break
Over the years, media portrayals of students on spring break have been less than positive. A common misperception is that most students flock to warm beaches and engage in high-risk drinking during the week off from schoolwork. The truth actually is very different than the perception. Last year, a national survey of 18-22 year-old full-time college students revealed many students plan to work, volunteer, spend time with family, or catch up on studies over the break. It is time to change the negative perception of college students on spring break!
For the second year, the BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility will hold the second annual Lead the Break: Make It Safe social media campaign. It is a way for campuses to encourage all students to make healthy choices and to support students who choose positive outlets during the break from academics.
The goal of Lead the Break is to reach thousands of student leaders and advisors on hundreds of campuses and reward them for promoting the reality of spring break by posting an Instagram picture showcasing a responsible and productive spring break activity. Hosted on Lead the Break’s website, the effort will run from early March until April 15.
Join the #LeadtheBreak campaign
- Post an image of yourself having a valuable and productive spring break to Instagram
- Use the hashtag #LeadtheBreak and hashtag the name of your college or university
- Get entered for a chance to win a cool prize plus a donation to your local BACCHUS chapter
The BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA is also offering a Safe Spring Break webinar on Feb. 3 from 2-3 p.m. EST to help provide peer educators and their advisors with resources to insure a healthy and safe break for students on their campus. Registration is free for the Lead the Break: Make it Safe webinar.