As summer draws to a close and students get ready to resume their regular schedules of school and work, many people dread having to say goodbye to warm weather and free time. Just because lazy afternoons come to an end, doesn’t mean vacations have to.

hen weekdays fill up with long hours of studying and working, students can still take small trips to get away. Vacations don’t have to be taken thousands of miles away from home.

In fact, not all getaways require getting on a plane. To enjoy time away from your busy life visit the box office at the University Student Union. They offer discount tickets to local theme parks.

Whether you’re looking for a day of roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a few days at Sea World or the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the ticket office provides an easy way to acquire tickets.

For longer trips, the AAA Automobile Club of California Travel Agency offers group discounts strictly for students on tours to popular destinations such as Hawaii and Mexico.

Beverly Holt, office manager of the Automobile Club branch in Northridge, encourages students to walk-in any time. Their travel agents can assist in creating a unique vacation package customized for student interests and needs.

‘We’re very big on student tours and giving discounts where we can get them. We can put together a custom tour for students based on the activities they are interested in and find places that even relate to their academic studies.’

Travel agents can organize scenic locations for students who are interested in photography, or find the best culinary institutions for students in the culinary field.
‘We do our best to incorporate school with travel so that vacations aren’t just fun, but also a learning experience as well,’ said Holt.

For the adventurous type, spending time out in the wilderness is the perfect getaway. Amy Poser, a 21-year-old Child Development major enjoys spending time outdoors at Lake Havasu, a recreational park located amidst the desert peaks on the Colorado River in northwest Arizona.

Lake Havasu offers virtually every form of water-related activity. Visitors can bring their own watercrafts or rent a boat or jetskiis for the day.

Marissa Pearson, a 20-year-old health science major enjoys going camping at Kings River, one of California’s most famous whitewater rivers that forms the dividing line between the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests.

Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Kings Canyon National Park, Kings River is a popular spot for whitewater rafting with scenic hiking trails located throughout the park.

Vacations are meant to reduce stress and be relaxing.’ By managing your time and not letting’ work pile up, planning a getaway mid-semester might be a possibility.

‘If I know I’m going to be gone for the weekend I try to get ahead on my work throughout the week.’ Also, if I’m driving with someone, I’ll have them drive while I do my reading assignments in the car,’ said Poser.

Before planning a trip ,review your course syllabi. This will make it easy to project when you are available. Prioritizing assignments and getting a head start will’ mean less work after your trip.

‘When I plan to go away I do as much computer work as possible before leaving and I bring a separate tote bag for all my books. I actually enjoy reading my textbooks when I am out in a nice scenic area,’ said Pearson.’

Whether you’re taking a day trip or packing your bags for a few days, remember vacations can happen no matter what the season is.