Picture you and your best buds lying on the beach, going to nightclubs, meeting new people, and letting yourself go wild and crazy.

You are stress free with no thoughts of work, school, or nagging parents and instructors for one whole week. What could be better? Well, get ready for this paradise, because spring break is on its way!

So, where do you go for fun in the sun that is not too expensive for your wallet and a blast? Well, thanks to vacationhomes.com, there is a list of the top 10 spring break destinations preferred by college students. They include: Cancun, Mexico; Panama City Beach, Fla.; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Lake Havasu, Ariz.; South Padre Island, Tx.; New York, N.Y.; Miami Beach, Fla.; San Diego, Calif.; and Key West, Fla.

Personally, my top two choices are Cancun, Mexico and South Padre, Texas, because they are wonderful vacation destinations that are not too far for college students in West Texas to travel. Both of these two spots are still taking reservations, and, thanks to wonderful Uncle Sam and your income tax refund check, not too heavy on the old wallet. All-inclusive packages are available to help save money.

Cancun, Mexico is one of the most exciting places to take a vacation. You can book an all-inclusive deal for four people, which includes round-trip airfare from Dallas, a six-night stay at the Westin Resort and Spa, a three-star hotel, and free meals within the hotel for only $1,056 per person. It may sound like a lot of money, but your meals are already paid for, leaving you needing only spending money. Some of the spontaneous activities you can do in Cancun that are near the hotel include golf, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and more.

After having a fun-filled day, what do you do at night? Well, Cancun is filled with thrilling nightlife activities. Some of the more popular clubs and restaurants are Senor Frogs, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Carlos and Charlie’s, Pat O’Brien’s, Daddyo’s, Coco Bongo and LaBoom. Cancun is an awesome place to visit, but beware. One of the most popular sayings about it is: “ What happens in Cancun, stays in Cancun!”

South Padre, Texas as you may know, is one of the more popular spring break destinations for college kids. I found a package deal for four people, which includes round trip airfare from Dallas, a five-night stay at the Ramada Limited, a two-star hotel, for only $634 per person.  One of the best features of this hotel is that it is conveniently located only two blocks away from the beach.

Some of the daytime activities you can do while vacationing in South Padre include parasailing, deep-sea fishing, and dolphin watching, among others. Like Cancun, South Padre is also known for its fun nightlife. Some of the more popular places to explore after the sun goes down are Club Padre, Coconuts, and Boomerang Billy’s. It is almost a guaranteed a fun time, due to all the activities and the crowd that it brings in, including many students like us.

We all look forward to spring break, and no matter where you decide to go, it is a time of relaxation and unwinding. With no worries at hand and the opportunity to let loose with your friends, spring break is truly one of the best times of our lives.

Some of my favorite memories are those made while on spring break. Fortunately, I get to look forward to many more.