The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Pony Post: Heading home- is it worth the money?

Well, it is about that time kids. We have finally hit midterms and the middle of the fall semester.

Fall break was a great relief from school and the hustle and bustle of all things “real life,” but is it just me or was that the biggest tease ever?

I know we are in college and supposed to be preparing ourselves for the “real world,” and less vacations, but come on, I am tired.

As I think ahead to Thanksgiving break, I sense that anxious feeling creeping up; it is just too far away!

As I put on my thinking cap, I come up with an idea; a weekend trip, destination: HOME!

Distance, Time and Money

For those of you lucky enough to live a couple hours away from school, the decision is simple: Fill your car tank for about $60, grab some road snacks for about $10, sit in your car for a couple hours, and stroll into your house nonchalantly. Those of us not from around here, well, we have a different travel experience.

We start with dishing out a couple hundred dollars for an airplane ticket. Then we must find a nice enough friend to drive us all the way to DFW, then find a parent or sibling nice enough to pick us up from our destination’s airport (hopefully this part is easier). Then we have to factor in all the airport and flying time.

For me, a southern California native, a trip home, door to door, takes about five hours. Yikes.

Worth the Money?

The next question us college students must ask ourselves: Knowing the prices of airfare can we afford to buy a ticket?

Since we are still in college, we can benefit from the many discount travel options provided to students on websites such as STA Travel, Student Universe and iStudent Fares.

Other travel websites such as American Airlines, Smart Travel and Cheap Flights have special deals for students as well.

But is the small price cut enough? Do we want to give up a couple hundred dollars to have a relaxing weekend at home?

If the school work keeps piling up and sleep time keeps disappearing, my decision would be YES.

When asked if she would spend money to travel home for a weekend, SMU senior Cami Ruff said, “I would if I really needed a break, or I would lock myself in my apartment for a weekend of relaxation.

All five of the other SMU students that were asked the same question said they would definitely spend their own money to fly home for a much needed break.

We all need a break sometimes, now we just need to factor in how much that break is worth to us.

I am thinking a break is looking pretty nice right about now.

Pony Post is a digital journalism class blog produced independently of The Daily Campus.

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