Butler’s spring break is fast approaching, and the common questions on campus seems to be “what are you doing,” “where are going” and maybe perhaps “what reading assignment will you be attempting to do?” The recess, commonly referred by universities as “reading break,” truly is a great opportunity to catch up or work ahead in school work; however, many take the opportunity to travel home or abroad.

I’ve come up with a concrete top 10 things to do.

10) Work on your New Year’s resolution: have you lost track of that Jan. 1 goal? Next week is a perfect opportunity to re-focus and re-plan to achieve that goal.

9) Visit friends on other campuses: the free week is unlikely to match up with the breaks of other universities. This gives you the opportunity to justly distract your friends before or after their breaks at their schools. Go absorb the culture of some other universities.

8) Spend time with hometown friends: if you’re lucky enough, your good friends share your spring break and will be home the same time you are. Don’t miss this opportunity to talk with them and catch up. More often than not, summer school, jobs and travel may interfere if you postpone spending time with them.

7) Vacation: this is a natural choice. Where warm weather calls, spring break kids will go.

6) Plan for summer school and fall 2008: OK yes, this is school related, but don’t write this off immediately. A clear mind at home or elsewhere may offer you a more accurate insight into what will be best to take next semester and if summer school is beneficial.

5) BU Alternative Spring Break: this is a great program that offers many of the above options all in one. ASB is a service opportunity within a group of Butler students, minus the large costs and exotic trips of other spring break travel. 2008’s trip is to Crossville, Tenn.

4) Support BU basketball: the women’s team is playing its conference tournament in Green Bay, Wis., and the men’s team is hosting the Horizon League tournament through Tuesday, March 11... enough said.

3) Work. Find a summer job: now is the time to acquire a summer job before the local high school students take all the desired positions. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate on earning employment because there’s nothing worse than having no spending money over the summer and during the following school year.

2) Read for classes: yes yes, another academic task, I know, but often the peace and quiet of the home offers a less distracting environment to understand concepts that will become key to earning those desired final grades.

1) Spend time with family: this is easily the top suggestion. After all, many of us would be no where without the love and support of our family. Take the week to thank them for what they give so readily.

I’ll be taking advantage of many items on the list. I’m starting my break with a Friday through Sunday trip to the University of Alabama to visit a friend. Then, my travels will take me back to my hometown of Carmel, Ind., where I’ll be spending time with family, seeing some friends also on break, working odd jobs for money and playing sand volleyball. And of course, I’ll also be attending the men’s basketball Horizon League championship game. I hope that every Butler Bulldog has a chance to experience a lot of good and improve a lot of bad things over the break. Safe travels and experiences to all!!