After being cooped up during the winter months, your student may feel the need for some cabin fever relieving. It’s important, however, that her spring fling doesn’t take a harmful form. For instance, encourage her to steer clear of:

• vandalism that seems “fun” at the time
• drinking to excess
• experimenting with drugs
• walking alone at night because the weather is finally nice
• going off alone with someone she doesn’t know
• blowing off classes or letting academics slide

That may seem like common sense which, of course, it is. Yet students who have been feeling repressed may go wild to an opposite extreme. Encourage moderation—there’s plenty of fun to be had this spring! For instance, why not suggest:

• going on a road trip with trusted friends
• participating in all the fun stuff happening campus wide
• shopping for a new spring outfit
• getting outside to play Frisbee, golf or volleyball
• going to the park instead of the library to study with friends
• having a picnic or going camping
• playing in an intramural softball game
• reading a good book outside under a tree

There are many ways to welcome spring—positively. Tell your student to just get out there and do it!

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