Work is much harder to remember than play. It?s likely that after taking a test you?ll forget all the details, like who did what in which war or how to conjugate a verb, that you picked up during lectures and cram sessions. But one thing?s for sure ? fond memories of past spring breaks are forever.

For instance, take the expedition to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Justin Crites and his roommate embarked on last year.

“We?d just missed MTV doing their spring break show when we went down,” Crites said.

Despite missing the media frenzy, Crites, a sophomore majoring in kinesiology, and his traveling companion set out on a mission to study the migration movements of Cabo?s native fauna.

“There were lots of girls,” Crites said after recounting observations made during his nocturnal outings to the area?s various watering holes and clubs. During the day, Crites? study took him to the ocean, where he could interact with Cabo life above and below the water.

“We went out on a snorkel cruise that kind of turned into a booze cruise,” Crites said. “Everything out there is a booze cruise.”

For some people the mark of a stellar spring break doesn?t include a clear recollection of the event. Rather, it?s the inability to recall specific details, all caused by a perpetual drunken stupor, that signifies the passing of a good vacation.

Psychology major and senior Nicole Ohacl recounts that her best spring break was a trip to Ensenada during her sophomore year. “From what I remember, there was a boat and whistle shots being downed. I can?t remember anything else, but I know I had a blast,” she said.

For Evan Paul, a graduate of Florida State and Sacramento State visitor, memorable spring breaks entailed buckling down and working hard, not getting wild and partying.

“I wasn?t into the whole party scene in Florida,” Paul said. “Obnoxious music and booze don?t do it for me.”

Instead, Paul worked through his vacations as an environmental activist.

“During most of my spring breaks I worked on environmental campaigns or environmental projects,” he said.

Paul?s past break activities helped him find a job after graduation. He now works as an environmental organizer, traveling to different places in hopes of recruiting people to get involved in projects like he had.

While many spring breakers migrate to exotic locales like the kinds viewed during MTV?s seasonal specials, others opt for more local, low-key spring breaks.

Jared Jensen, a Sac State graduate turned Sac State library assistant, said his best spring breaks were spent communing with nature in the mountain regions surrounding Redding.

Jensen?s fondest memories are of long hikes through Lassen Park, a national park built around one of two active volcanoes in the United States.

“At this time of year, when the weather?s just getting nice and there aren?t that many people around, all you hear is the wind and trees,” he said.

Roughing it for a week in an old tent with three un-bathed people under the hot Mexican sun doesn?t seem to conjure up images of a fun-filled and exciting spring break. That is, unless, you?re like freshman Legenia Broussard, who embarked on an outing with her church to do missionary work in Mexicali last year.

“We stayed there for a week with no showers and no running water,” Broussard said.

The lack of modern conveniences didn?t deter the novice missionary and her tentmates from performing scheduled duties for Mexicali?s children.

“We built the town church a playground, played with the kids, made them bracelets and sang songs in Spanish,” she said.Even though her spring break occurred in a part of the world where modern conveniences and comforts are scarce, Broussard wouldn?t have had it any other way.”It was a unique experience and one of the best spring breaks I ever had,” she said.