Break It Down

It's an annual rite of passage. While birds fly south for the winter in November or December, we fickle humans wait until March - when the burden of winter is overbearing and our patsy-pale complexions need a little sun. That's right. It's nearly time for Spring Break. As you gear up (and pack up) for this year's getaway, here are some needed essentials for your suitcase/carryon that will make your trip to a tropical locale even more enjoyable. SUNSCREEN Let's get right to it: nobody wants to come home looking like Kramer did in that "Seinfeld" episode where he tanned with butter ("Stick a fork in me, Jerry, I'm done!"). The hot rays are dangerous - and can be painful. It's all about SPF, which, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is a number that represents a multiple of your initial burn time. For example, if it takes you roughly a half-hour for you to burn, it will take two hours with SPF 4. With the dreary, cold winter we've had, better take SPF 15 or 30 to be safe. SUNGLASSES There is a sector of the student population that may be heading for even colder climates during Spring Break in search of snowboarding and skiing. So whatever your vacation destination, sun or snow, there's one thing both types of 'Breakers will need: sunglasses. Whether you opt for cheap specs (perhaps you're certain your shades will be lost before the week is up) or a more expensive brand, make sure you pick sunglasses that reflect not only the sun, but your personality as well. Aviators, wraparounds, leopard print - whatever the look, choose a pair of shades that fits your melon well. AUDIO ENHANCEMENTS Whether you're doing a road trip down to Florida or taking a flight to Mexico on the friendly skies, you're going to need some tunes. And good variety of them. Think of it this way, you'll need something for your iPod, something for the car/airplane, something for the beach and something for the hotel room. What you should envision is a playlist that spans from The Beach Boys to The Beastie Boys: oldies, classic rock, rap, hip-hop, pop, alternative and even country. That way, no matter where you are or what you're doing, you'll have the perfect soundtrack during your vacation. FRISBEE If you're heading to the beach this year, you're luggage won't be complete without a Frisbee. A flying disc is the perfect way to meet people and get a great group gathering going. Plus, Frisbees are relatively cheap and inexpensive. It can be used on the sand or in the snow. You might even already have one of the dust-covered variety in your garage. And when your coach asks about what you did for exercise upon your return, you can tell him or her that you worked on hand-eye coordination. CAMERA Spring Break is all about the memories, right? Well, at least that and a good tan. However, the tan will fade with time. Memories can last forever, so long as you're prepared beforehand. Take a camera. No matter if it's the digital variety or the ever-classic (and inexpensive) wind-up disposable brand, a camera will fit into your pocket, allowing you to capture the late-morning pancake eating contest or the time you buried your sun-burnt, sleeping friend in a sandcastle.