Many of us have heard the phrase "What happens on Spring Break, does not stay on Spring Break," and unfortunately this is the case too often. The community was beginning to take about their plans for the week ahead. Many were headed one hour in either direction to Florida's sandy beaches, and others were going south of the border on cruises to Mexico and beyond. To help the residents of Buckman Hall, Section D learn more about instances of Spring Breaker's Regret, a bulletin board and table were set up with facts about Spring Break mishaps and freebies for the residents to take away and bring with them on their 9 day vacation from Gainesville, Florida. This would act as a reminder to remember that Spring Break is a time for fun, but also a time to stay alert.

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This program was set up in multiple locations in the section of Buckman Hall for two days straight, so everyone was sure to see it no matter where they went. There was a bulletin board in the second floor, a table with items on it in the lounge, flyers posted around the kitchen and a flyer located at the door to the entrance of the section. The flyers all stated different facts about Spring Break mishaps that happen to many college students when they went to their desired locations. It was noticed by the RA that many of his residents were headed to the Caribbean for the week on cruises, so he made sure to put up flyers that mentions that many tourist destinations in Mexico will allow you to get tattoos if you are not sober, something that a law prohibits in the United States. Flyers similar to these, but with different facts were posted around the section.

In the kitchen a table was set up with many different items that would help the residents of Buckman D stay safe. The RA used a resource on campus, GatorWell Health Promotions, to gain all of the materials for free. They provided the section with chap stick, spray hand sanitizer, condoms, lubricant, sun screen, and mini first aid kits for the residents to have. Next to each of the items a little placard indicated why the item will be useful on Spring Break.

This passive program stayed up for two days and really got the residents talking to one another about their Spring Break plans. Some of them even found out that they were going on the same cruise together! The upperclassman residents talked to some of the newer students about their first college Spring Breaks and what to look out for when going abroad. When Spring Break ended and everyone moved back into Buckman, the residents told their RA about how much fun they had and some even thanked him for the program and said they actually used some of the items they were given.

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The goals of "Spring Break Safety" were to educate the residents of Buckman Hall about common problems that happen on Spring Break so they would be aware of them. It also provided a chance to grab any free items from the table that they could bring with them to their Spring Break destinations to they could avoid any of those common problems that happen.

Another underlying goal of this program was to get the residents talking to one another about their Spring Break plans. When they came into the kitchen to pick up the free items many of them would talk about where they were going and exchanged stories, good and bad, of their past Spring Break experiences.

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The positive effects of this program were that it provided a chance for the residents of Buckman D to learn about safety issues that involve the Spring Break season. Many of the residents in this section were first years and had never had a “college” Spring Break before. Many were going off on their own with a few friends to destinations they were unfamiliar with. “Spring Break Safety” gave them a chance to reflect on decisions they thought they may make during their vacation and think of the lasting effects it might have on their health, social life and wellbeing in general.

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The program was a hit amongst the residents. Many of them loved the idea of getting free items to take with them on Spring Break, but they also enjoyed the chance to talk to one another about their adventurous vacations to places all over the country and even internationally.

However, the ultimate test would not be proven until March 12th, when the 32 residents of Buckman D came home. Luckily and happily all of them had a safe trip and came back in great shape. They were energized to finish the 7 more weeks of spring semester that they had ahead of them. Multiple times the RA would walk into the kitchen and overhear residents talking about their excursions to each other.

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This program can be easily adapted to other campuses by contacting your local health promotions center or health department to see if they have anything they can give out for free to provide to residents. If they are not able to these items can be purchased at any local drug store. To get the information about common Spring Break safety hazards, you can look them up online and post them on flyers or bulletin boards around the floor or housing area.

One thing that may also be added to get your residents to build community is to include a space for them to write what their plans are for Spring Break. You, as an RA, can follow up with them and see how everything went, and other residents can talk about their Spring Break with each other!

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