The countdown to spring break often begins as soon as the previous one ends. Students save money for airfare and hotel rooms by working odd jobs over summer break or pulling an extra shift during the school year. The excitement of being able to tan in March induces students to spend hours at the gym to get the perfect body. And all of this for one glorious week of no classes, papers or responsibilities.

While most GW students flee D.C. for spring break each year, some stay in town, foregoing the college travel tradition of heading south to Cancun or over the Atlantic to Europe. Those who stay in D.C. tend to do so work, to save money or to finally relax after midterms.

Junior Cara Fabrocini stayed on campus for the last two spring breaks because she was “able to make some extra money by working through the vacation.” When she wasn’t working, Fabrocini said she did “touristy” things that she never had the chance to do because of classes.

She said she tried to spend a lot of her time in the city because Foggy Bottom was too quiet.

Junior Valerie Dandar stayed in D.C. over spring break her freshman year because most of her friends were doing the same. She decided it would be more fun to stay here than to go home.

But a spring break in D.C. was not part of some people’s original plans.

“My spring break plans fell through, so all of my friends and I are just staying here,” Miriam Nemeth said.

“I am stuck on campus for my first spring break because of water polo,” said freshman Jenna Burnett, who has a tournament March 12 to 14 and then practice from the 15 to 18.

Burnett said she plans on using her free time to relax and catch up on sleep, though.

For those staying in the city for the week, students said the break provides an opportunity to visit area attractions. Spring has finally arrived in the past week, so now is a great time to check out all of the monuments that sets D.C. apart from all other cities. Get in touch with your inner sea dog by renting a paddleboat on the Tidal Basin. Boats can be rented from a dock near the Jefferson Memorial at $8 an hour for two people.

Sun., March 14, is the annual D.C. St. Patrick’s Day parade from noon to 3 p.m. The parade route travels along Constitution Avenue between 17th and 7th streets N.W.

Continuing the free entertainment, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage offers a different performance everyday at 6 p.m. On Wed., March 17, there is a performance in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Guitarist Zan McLeod and storyteller Batt Burns will tell Irish ghost stories. On Fri., March 19, the music group Les Ejectes will perform. The group performs a variety of music styles, including reggae, ska and rock.

However, it is not too late to book a trip for next week. Spring break trips can be arranged right up until a few days before, but everything depends on availability, said Meike Suhren, an STA Travel agent.

“Trips to many destinations are sold out, but there is still some availability left to other destinations,” Suhren said.

He also said that booking a trip at the last minute often means higher prices and having to pay for the entire trip at one time. By planning ahead and making travel arrangements in November or December, trips are often discounted and can be paid for in installments. Plus, by booking early, students can often get a free meal plan on package travel deals.

Internet travel sites offer a variety of last-minute vacation plans. Discount airfare and hotel rates can be found on any number of Web sites, including StudentUniverse.com, Orbitz.com, CheapTickets.com and Hotwire.com. Lower prices can usually be found to nontraditional spring break destinations such as Las Vegas, Vancouver, Brussels or Prague.