Taking a break

There has been less of a hum in Cape Girardeau this week as students at Southeast Missouri State University have found other things to do and other places to be for spring break.

Like thousands of other university students from around the country, many of Southeast's students are enjoying warm beaches and around-the-clock parties at some of the favorite spring-break destinations.

But other students are spending their week off from classes by helping others or themselves.

Some Southeast students are working in a refugee center in Texas. Others are helping out at a New Orleans homeless shelter. Some are working on a Habitat for Humanity house-building project near Kansas City, Kan.

Still other students are helping their future careers or working to earn money for college expenses. Spending time in a one-week internship gives some students on-the-job experience that will bolster resumes when they begin applying for jobs. And finding work for a few days is occupying still other students who have bills to pay.

And a good many students do what so many of us want to do when we have a few days off: Rest. Sleep late. Visit with friends.

Some students say they can't afford to take vacation trips or party during spring break. Others think traveling to a spring-break party destination is the best way to occupy themselves.

For all those who are looking for a good time this week, let's hope they are partying responsibly and exercising some good sense when it comes to drinking and sexual activities.

And for all those who are volunteering or working this week, let's hope they take a bit of time for themselves during these few days away from classes.

As for the rest of us, we look forward to the return of the hustle-and-bustle routine the students bring to the Southeast campus and to our town. We hope they enjoyed this year's spring break.