So…It’s February. You’ve lifted your head from the fugue state of OCI/getting adjusted to your classes/digging your car out of a snow pile/writing your law review note, and set hopeful eyes on spring break as an opportunity for rest and recuperation when you realize—you never made any spring break plans.
Or, you’ve looked at your bank account, thought “yikes!” and decided to have a bit of a stay-cation, but have no plans on how to actually go about doing that. Fair! Reasonable! I have been there!
In the interest of transparency, I personally will be fleeing the great city of Boston at the first available opportunity (shoutout to the Amtrak!), however, I’ve compiled three fun (low cost) things to do with the tons of free time you will have on your hands come spring break. (That is, once you’ve caught up on your reading, done the write-on, decided how early you want to outline, remembered to go grocery shopping, etc. etc.).
- Bookstore Crawl
Boston has some amazing bookstores, and technically, walking through them is free (unless, of course, you are like me and purchase books like they’re grocery staples). Used bookstores especially provide a wallet-and-environmentally friendly alternative to paying over thirty-dollars for the newest popular hardcover (guilty).
Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Bookstore, Brattle Bookshop, Good Dog Records & Books, Commonwealth Books, and Rodney’s Bookstore all boast a collection of used books and (in most cases) some collectible items. Invite your friends! Tour some bookstores and see who can find the most inventive cookbook. Pick out books for one another. Read something that isn’t about adverse possession or Article III standing. While you’re at it, go to the Boston Public Library and take some Instagram-worthy photos to show your non-law school friends and family you are still a functioning member of society.
Or, if you’re really feeling the stay in stay-cation (or have a very long flight/train ride/passenger princess excursion before you) download Libby with your library card (as a Boston College student you can get one at the Boston Public Library virtually) and have fun with the virtual selections from your local library.
- Museum Crawl
In addition to amazing bookstores, Boston has some fantastic museums, many of which understand the (strained) finances of grad students. Go on a museum crawl: visit a new museum every day and turn your spring break into an educational endeavour (I’m being 60% serious—it’s important to learn about things besides caselaw, so stretch those brain muscles).
The museum of fine arts is gorgeous, and even better, it’s free with your BC student id. It’s also large enough to take up an entire day, perfect for a low-key staycation.
Additionally, the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month, from 3-9:00 pm. And, luckily enough for you, spring break falls on the first Thursday of March. I’m not saying it’s fate, but I am saying it’s a good idea. The tickets are available two weeks in advance, according to the website.
Harvard’s Museums of Science and Culture provide either free admission or discounted tickets for non-Harvard students. Of the two of the four museums that call for discounted ($10.00) tickets, buying a ticket into one gets you into both—so it’s basically like a $5.00 admission for both museums. Cheaper than an iced latte. Harvard’s Art Museums are also free to all visitors, according to their website. For information on these (and more) museums, check out this website.
- Miscellaneous Crawl
Not feeling either books or museums? Put together some other crawl. Visit thrift stores, old record shops, restaurants that cost less than fifteen dollars, go to every single Trader Joe’s in a ten-mile radius, etc.
Grab some friends (or not, alone time is great), figure out a theme, and explore more of Boston in a way that is tailored to your interests.
- Pottery Class
The Clayroom in Brookline boasts a $5 dollar studio fee (you just need to pay for the pottery) on Monday Nights and free pizza on Tuesday nights. Take some friends, pick your night, and enjoy painting something fun to decorate your apartment with.
Whatever you decide, please remember that while law school is stressful and it might feel like you have 15 million things to do/worry about, you’re not going to get your entire life back on track on spring break (harsh, but true). Give yourself time to enjoy life—go outside, touch grass (or snow because let’s be real, it’s not melting), and give your brain a break. Taking time to recuperate will seriously help you out in the long run, and will keep you from completely burning yourself out come finals. You’ve worked hard this semester. Celebrate being ¾ of the way done with the academic year, and enjoy yourself!
Samantha Torre is a 2L student at BC Law. Contact her at torrs@bc.edu.
BC Law: Impact 