Self Care and a Spring Break Day Trip to Huntsville State Park 

Most people associate spring break with rowdy parties, alcohol, wild trips, and indulgences. There are certain merits to them. After a grueling post-new year spring term, the first spring vacation couldn’t be a better time to make the most out of the year, more so now since we can see the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. Nevertheless, there are other ways one can entertain oneself, friends, and loved ones over this much-needed time off. Although not as popularized by the media as the “traditional” spring break or as fun sounding like the Cancun beach party, a day trip filled with hiking in a Texas state park can be as invigorating and as entertaining a spring break celebration as one can hope for.

Huntsville State Park, located an hour’s drive away from Aggieland, has miles of hiking trails, boardwalk, camping ground, fishing, and swimming opportunities along with a great natural atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy academic life. Trails vary in difficulty and allow both novice and expert hikers to make the most out of the experience. During my spring break trip to the park, I realized how much I needed this peaceful break. I noticed a multitude of happy dogs soaking in the sun and playing fetch, young kids on their bikes and with their fishing rods, elderly Texans strolling and breathing in the fresh air of the park, and the aroma of fresh barbeque made it a memorable day. I observed that this venue not only provides the chance to immerse oneself in the tranquility of the natural beauty Texas has to offer but also allows for friends and loved ones to connect in a setting that’s away from any stress or worry of modern-day life.


Boardwalk at the park 


Kathleen at Huntsville State Park 

Self-care is an important aspect of academic life most students tend to either ignore or are too engrossed in their hectic lives to give enough attention to. We know a significant body of research that points to stress as an important factor in physical illness and lack of mental wellness. As a doctoral student, I wear a lot of hats-researcher, student, teaching assistant among others. Even with utmost care and scheduling, there are days when life is draining. Understanding this tiredness is the first step towards addressing it. More than physical, it is mental and personally, a walk in the woods is my perfect antidote to any stress and tiredness.

Being able to walk the trails and boardwalk with my partner was a godsend and I feel more energized than before to excel in all my responsibilities-both professional and personal. As evident from my spring break trip, taking the time to reflect on our lives during a week of relaxation can do wonders to an aggie, and dear reader, I hope you will join me in partaking in similar self-care activities and finally reclaiming the true meaning of break from this annual ritual called Spring Break.