When students and teachers rush to leave campus on Friday afternoon, they will most likely head to places such as Cancun or Miami.  Some will head to their homes for a relaxing week away from the dorms while others will take road trips.

Across campus, plans have been traded and ideas shared. Memories of previous experiences have been given as well. Some memories are sweet such as Rachel Dellinger's, a sophomore in Public Relations and French, recalls her favorite spring break memory.  She explained that her actual favorite trip was when her church went on a mission trip to Louisiana to build houses. They went some time before Katrina hit, but it was an experience she has never forgotten.

"It was the best because I wasn't doing it for me; I was helping someone else," Dellenger said.

"We went to a French restaurant that had lamb, and we all got sick," he said, "We saw ‘The Producers,' ‘The Lion King' and ‘Hairspray' while we were there."

Some students prefer to stay around the Knoxville area like Joseph Cole, a senior in architecture. His favorite spring break experience happened when he and a group of friends rented a chalet in Gatlinburg, Tenn., during his sophomore year

"We didn't even go very many places; it was just great to have the fellowship," Cole explained.

Joshua Jones, a senior in Asian studies, loved having an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World. Jones' friend invited him to go on the trip that his father had given him as a gift.

"We stayed at Old Key West Resort and went to all the Disney theme parks over the five days we were there," Jones said.

Second year grad student in political science Katie Meredith remembers two enjoyable spring break experiences. The first was a trip to Los Angeles with two of her dorm friends.

"None of us had ever been there before, and we saw Weird Al walking down the street," Meredith said.

The following year she went to Germany with her little brother where she saw the "Cinderella Castle," which is located close to Bavaria, Germany. She went hiking in Austria as well. The two were visiting family.

Beyond trips to the beach and overseas, some students really just do not travel. Josh Ray, a grad student seeking his doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology, said that most of his spring breaks were spent working or interning.

Finally, even the teachers enjoy the chance to get away from classes. Trey Flautt, a professor in business administration, says he likes every spring break.

"I've enjoyed snow-skiing out West and heading to the beach," Flautt said, "I just like anything to get away from school."

For most students, the urge to get away from school is too much to resist, and spring break has become a time of rescue for those who are buried in school work. I, for one, cannot wait for Friday's end.