Spring break leads to summer break, which leads to spring break. It seems as if once students return to school, their thoughts are already on next year's spring break trip.

"We've had inquires since two days before classes started," said Jen Miller, a travel advisor at STA Travel, 104 HUB-Robeson Center.

There are perks to booking a trip early, such as a free meal plan or better choice of hotel.

"The earlier they book, the cheaper it's going to be," Miller said.

Another bonus of booking earlier is possibly being able to choose the date of departure.

"Some companies allow you to choose the date of departure without adding fees, if it is earlier," said Briana Rogers, branch manager of STA Travel.

Booking before Christmas can save you as much as $100, said Susan Abruzzo, travel consultant at Centre for Travel, 114 Hiester St., said.

"They [the travel companies] want the rest of the money by the time they come back from the holidays," Abruzzo said.

Travel agents said popular destinations include Mexican cities, Cancun and Acapulco, and Jamaica.

"Jamaica is an upcoming spot. It's more laid back," Miller said.

Friends Tanya La Tortue (freshman-marketing) and Antionette Grant (freshman-biology) are planning a trip to Jamaica.

"I have family in Jamaica so it'll be cheaper," Grant said. "We're still getting people to go."

There are also places in the United States that attract students.

"Some like South Padre Island, Texas," Abruzzo said.

There are also less-popular locations that students request for their vacations.

"Some ask for ski packages. Europe is also another spot requested," Miller said.

Dara Leto (junior-biochemistry and molecular biology) and Amanda Rauer (sophomore-environmental renewable resource economics) are planning their trip for spring break but are not sure where they are going yet.

"I'd like to go to Europe. If we go in the U.S., then California," Leto said.

Rauer's friend is a travel agent and is helping them plan their trip.

"They are doing it for free," Rauer said.

There also seems to be a trend in locations based on the ages of the students. Seniors tend to go to different places, such as Costa Rica, Miller said.

"Underclassmen want to go to Jamaica or Cancun because of the lower drinking age," Miller said.

Trips for four people can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,200 each, Abruzzo said.

Because of the cost, for some students an elaborate trip is out of the question.

"Given since I'm broke, there is no money to go anywhere," Sean Gavin (sophomore-criminal psychology) said.

Rather than taking a trip, Gavin plans to go home and visit with family, work and meet up with high school friends, he said.

Corey Rilk (junior-environmental resource management) has decided to stay home and work as a waiter -- with a trip to Canada on the side.

Genevieve Hasek (senior-human development and family studies) has not made a decision yet.

"I might go to Las Vegas with some friends, or stay here and work," Hasek said.

Either way, she said she would not be planning for spring break until late January or early February.