UNL students are offered many opportunities to travel over spring break - service-learning trips organized by UNL’s Center for Civic Engagement, volunteer trips with their student organizations, and educational trips organized by their colleges. And some students organize their own trips with other UNL students to visit domestic and international destinations.
If your student does choose to travel, you may not feel completely comfortable about it. It’s normal to be concerned about your student’s safety. Make this a learning opportunity - talk to your student about your concerns and the potential dangers of being in an unfamiliar place. Remind your student to be aware at all times, to travel with people they can trust, and to know that some actions can have serious consequences.
The University Health Center’s Healthy Huskers, a group of peer health and wellness educators, suggest parents go over the following safety tips with their students:
Driving Safety
• To help ensure a safe trip, have a mechanic check out your car before you leave town.
• Driving without enough sleep can have similar effects on your body as driving drunk. Trade drivers often or stop for the night.
• Distracted driving is dangerous and often illegal - 13 states have hand-held cell phone use bans, and 44 states ban text messaging for drivers.
Personal Safety
• Stay with the same group of friends the entire night so you can look out for each other.
• In case of an emergency, have contact information for a friend or family member handy.
• Carefully consider the risks associated with the information or photos you are sharing online.
Alcohol Safety
• If you are of age and choose to drink, stay hydrated and pace yourself by alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night.
• Watch your drink—don’t drink things you don’t see mixed or poured!
• There are many safe ways to get home after drinking. Use a designated sober driver, taxi, or ride share service instead of drinking and driving.
Some students choose to spend spring break at home for some quality down time with family, extra study time, or to work extra. Remember that, just like winter break, they need down time. They have just completed midterm exams, and know they have a lot work ahead of them when they return to school. They may need to spend more time than usual catching up on sleep – and eating comfort food.
When your student is ready to socialize, here are good conversation starters:
• What do you like about your classes this semester?
• Are you starting to narrow in on a possible major?
• Are you doing anything differently with your studying this semester?
• Tell me about your good friends on campus.
• Have you started looking for an internship for this summer?
• Have you thought about where you might want to live next year?
Now’s a great time to plan for fun spring break family activities to help your student relax and unwind. Here are some ideas:
• Get moving. Go on walks, play volleyball or other team sports, go swimming, etc.
• Start the gardening. If it’s not warm enough to start planting, start planning what you want to grow and go shopping for supplies.
• Get in the kitchen. Teaching students to cook is a valuable life lesson that will affect their long-term health…and their wallets!
• Break out the board games. Who doesn't love some friendly competition? Have a fun afternoon of game play. Want to make it a weeklong activity? Plan a tournament among your family members and play games each day until there is one final winner.
• Volunteer together. Soup kitchens, nursing homes and other organizations are always looking for help. Contact them to see when they need some extra hands during spring break.
• Get creative. If your family loves arts & crafts, start pinning Pinterest projects that everyone will love. Shop for supplies ahead of time.
However your student chooses to spend their spring break, help them make it a positive, memorable experience.
The University Health Center’s Health Promotion & Outreach department hosts several events before spring break to ensure that students have the knowledge and the resources they need to stay safe.
Please encourage your student to attend health and wellness education events around campus. A variety of events are held throughout the year. Events are publicized around campus and are designed to impact all students.
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By the University Health Center – health.unl.edu