After countless hours of working hard in school, spring break always comes as a huge relief. With one full week off of school, this break is welcomed with open arms. This time off is often used to go on vacation, but with no work to keep us busy, we are often stuck at home with nothing to do. Here are some things you can do to keep your break fun and exciting.

Winter is finally leaving, and spring is rolling in. The cold will soon be gone, and in fact, this spring break, temperatures are expected to be around the mid 60s, a huge difference in comparison to what these past few months have been. This nice weather provides a wonderful opportunity to go outdoors to swim or take a nice walk. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a popular destination for many people, with chances to go hiking, swimming, biking, or even rock climbing. With their small cascading falls and swing ropes attached to the trees next to the bank, this creek is a great way to enjoy your day. The Riverplace Nature Trail is another favored hiking trail, with a breathtaking view of what nature provides. Taking a walk is a pleasant form of exercise while giving you the chance to admire the scenery around you.

Austin is also very well known for SXSW, a set of interactive film and music festivals. This year, SXSW happens to be during spring break. Though tickets are generally very expensive, there are also many free events, from gaming panels to film screenings. Be sure to check out this once a year event.

Many anticipated movies are coming out during spring break as well, such as “Insurgent” from the Divergent series, “Cinderella”, a remake of the childhood fairytale, and “Frozen Fever”, sequel to the popular movie, “Frozen.” Southwest Theaters and Cinemark Movies 8 will be premiering all three new films, their amazingly priced tickets ranging from $1-$4.

During school, it can become difficult to get quality time with your friends. Spring break is the perfect opportunity to hang out with them. “I love spending time with my friends during spring break because I don’t get to do that a lot when there’s school,” 8th grader Pooja Engala says. “You can do anything with your friends, from watching movies to going on hikes.”

Spring break is a great time for students and staff members to take time off from school and relax. After so much hard work, this break is definitely well deserved.