The Norman Transcript

Local news

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

Tools

July 18, 2009

OU students start vacation today

Transcript Staff Writer

When most people think of college spring breaks, they think of "Girls Gone Wild" on Mexican beaches and wild parties lasting for days.

Most University of Oklahoma students didn't espouse such fantasies when asked about their spring break plans Thursday -- or maybe they just didn't admit to them.

University College freshman Stan Khrapak was excited about his first college spring break.

"It's the first one where I don't have my parents with me," he said. He didn't anticipate wild parties, however, on his ski trip to Colorado with eight of his high school friends.

"It's just more relaxing, I guess -- a stress-free event on the slopes," he said. "... Just changing your environment completely makes you feel like you're far away from school, from work."

Others expressed a similar need for relaxation.

Colton Hightower, also a freshman, said he plans to accomplish nothing at all on his trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with his friends. He said he needs a break because he had tests and quizzes in every class last week.

"Last week was hell, academically," he said.

Freshman Liz Reynolds agreed that students definitely need a break.

"Spring break comes at the best time, 'cause it comes just at that point where you're like, 'I just want to quit school,' and then it motivates you to stay in school," she said.

Reynolds planned to visit New York City and Philadelphia over spring break. Some freshmen far from home, however, decided they'd use the extra time to visit the folks.

"I just wanted to go home 'cause I miss home," said Alex Tesmer, a freshman from Houston.

Other students had similarly unexciting plans for the holiday.

Senior Nan Tawes wasn't planning on a big spring break, just perhaps visiting Six Flags for a day.

"This is the first year that I haven't really done anything," she said.

Rasheed Siddiqui, a pre-dental senior from Tulsa, is staying in town to study.

"This is like the lamest (spring break) I've ever had," he said.

He's had exciting trips to exotic locales in other years, but not this one. "It's just game time now, you know, you pick and choose your battles and this isn't one I got to choose."

It could be that upperclassmen don't feel the need to let loose like freshmen.

"I don't have the super-high need to go do something crazy," he said. Or it could just be they have to buckle down and focus on school, he said.

It didn't look like much buckling was being done Thursday afternoon, however. The South Oval was far quieter than normal.

"I just got out of class," Siddiqui said. "And it was like half the people in there, and no one was really paying attention."

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com

Local news

The Business Marquee

Community Calendar

Loading…
Events by eviesays.com