This year, Samford’s spring break lined up with those of schools like Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“My spring break is usually around the second week of March,” said Lipscomb junior Bayleigh Pirtle. “In the past (it) has not been beneficial for me because my friends at other smaller schools have had a different break than me.”
In year’s past, Samford students have had to compromise their spring break plans with their friends from other schools because of the university’s timing and scheduling.
“Last year I missed out on hanging out with some friends because our spring breaks didn’t line up, and that was definitely frustrating,” said Samford sophomore Connor Donnell.
Samford’s 2024 undergraduate spring break was March 4 through March 8 – much earlier than the typical spring break of that year that was March 11 through March 15. Pirtle was relieved when this year, the schools’ calendars aligned, and she was able to go on break with her friends.
“I got to go on a trip with a lot of friends from Samford that I do not usually get to see because of our busy schedules and misaligned breaks,” said Pirtle.
Siblings at other schools are also sometimes a factor for Samford students and can affect where they decide to go or what they decide to do for spring break.
“I think typical timed spring breaks are good, especially since mine lined up with my brother at UAH so I got to see him when I otherwise would not have,” said Donnell.
Samford senior Nick Batson agreed: “It’s (Samford’s old break dates) not the most convenient because I couldn’t see my sisters.”
However, students have noticed the benefit of Samford’s uncommon breaks in the past. Taylor Mansell, a sophomore at Samford, appreciated the difference in dates and said it was “nice that destinations aren’t as full.”
Samford junior Trey Wolley agreed: “To me, I don’t care about lining up spring breaks with other schools and just go with the flow.”
Morgan Butler, University of Alabama junior, saw the sentiment on both sides.
“It’s nice when spring breaks align with other schools for long distant friend reunions,” Butler said. “But especially at the beaches, it is way too crowded. I wish the high schools in Alabama would line up and the colleges (do) the same. It’s so annoying when I go home from college and the gym is crowded because high school is on the exact same break.”
The 2025-2026 Samford schedule has been posted. Spring break falls on March 9 and ends on March 13. This aligns with Lipscomb’s again, but not the University of Alabama’s.
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