I never intended to be a super senior. In fact, I started out like many of you, a wide-eyed, ambitious (if not slightly confused) freshman, thinking I’d rock the four-year program and be on my way. That was five years ago. One transfer from Montana State University to Cornell, nine months riding colts through the mountains, a semester in East Africa learning Swahili, and many thousands of dollars later — I’m still finishing a double major that’s too long to pronounce in one breath.

Yellowstone: Share Yellowstone with the elk, and almost no one else, this Spring Break.

But being a super senior has its advantages. Hang around here long enough and you’ll learn the secrets of success. The most critical? Get out of town. Spring break is the most holy of college holidays, so if you don’t already have plans to break out of town and get absurdly drunk on the beach, here are some ideas for excellent spring break adventures, courtesy of a super senior who knows.

1. Mission Barbeque

A friend of mine at St. Johns in New Mexico had this idea. He filled a car with buddies and drove through Texas with one objective only: to consume as much Texas Barbeque and Lone Star Beer as possible. Four days into the trip, the crew found themselves wandering the streets of Austin in a protein-induced haze. Avoid this negative side effect of the BBQ binge by bringing your bikes. The Hill Country offers great riding for all levels, as well as backpacking, camping and day hiking. God Bless Texas.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Returning Yellowstone interns and both Cornell undergrad locals (the captain of the streaking team and me) know the secret of Yellowstone in winter — it is completely empty. Unless you count all the wolves, swans, elk, bison and that National Geographic photographer who lives in a tiny cabin in Canyon. So pack your X-country skis, fly into Bozeman, rent something with snow tires, drive south and take in all the geothermal awesomeness, wildlife and wonder your little heart can handle. On your way out, have a glass of Moosedrool Beer at the Blue Goose Bar in Gardiner for me. Just don’t let my mom hear you’re passing through the area or she’ll insist you stop by for dinner.

3. Southern Sweetness: Tennessee and North Carolina

Fried chicken, awesome locally distilled Bourbon out of a brown bag and no snow. Just a few of the reasons a road trip through Tennessee and North Carolina is perfect for climbers, hikers and paddlers. Plan for some time in Asheville (it’s like a southern Ithaca — but cooler because bad-ass Billy Graham lives there), the Smokey Mountains and the U.S. National White Water Center in Charlotte — where the river actually goes in a circle. And filling your camera with photos of radical church signs is always fun. Just remember, “the North isn’t a place, it’s just a direction out of the South.”