Dear Mel,

A few of my friends decided to travel for spring break, but I opted out and now feel the regret. Here’s to a lame break.

—S.A.

Contact Melissa Puppo at [email protected].

Dear S.A.,

    I know it might be a bummer that you aren’t going away for spring break, but let’s be real for two seconds. You get to sit at your apartment, your home or wherever you will be for a whole week and get to do nothing! I don’t know about you, but I think you should be just as happy, or happier than those friends who are traveling somewhere.

    Take this time to have some “you time.” By this, I mean enjoy sleeping in past 9 a.m., enjoy not having to do a weekly journal for a class and enjoy that you don’t have to listen to any of your professors for a week!

    Actually, be happy that you don’t have to deal with any friend drama either. You know it’s going to happen at some point on their trip.

    Sure, you might not be enjoying paradise, but let’s think of the positives: You aren’t spending money on plane tickets and eating out, you won’t be getting sunburn and hey, now you have more money to buy that pair of sandals you’ve had your eye on or to buy those concert tickets you’ve been wanting. Or, perhaps now you can save money to go on an even better trip.

    That sounds pretty good to me. Whatever your friends are doing, it’s great for them, but I think you need to focus on your couch, Netflix and home-cooked food, then maybe take a walk, catch up on some reading and just R-E-L-A-X.

                     XO — Mel