Staycation, the portmanteau of “stay” and “vacation” refers to a person opting to stay at home or nearby during a vacation period. Current economic concerns have made the term prevalent. It’s even recognized by Webster’s dictionary.

As summer classes wind down, students are deciding whether to go on a staycation, a vacation or both.

Brian Schuster, a freshman in engineering, is participating in the RISE program. After the program ends on July 30, Schuster is going to Chicago for a week to visit family.

“I’m excited about boating on Lake Michigan,” Schuster said.

After the trip, Schuster said that he’ll be coming back to Raleigh to relax.

Hiedi Klumpa, a freshman in engineering and English, is going home when RISE ends.

“I’m from Tennessee, and I’ll be driving back with my dad,” Klumpa said.

Klumpa said she might also take a trip to Florida before school starts, but isn’t sure since it will be the last weekend she’ll spend with her family.

Others will be traveling in-state.

Ashley Childress, freshman in animal science, is going home to Yadkinville for one week before heading back to Raleigh.

“I’ve been here all summer, I’m looking forward to seeing friends,” Childress said.

Alex Venegas, freshman in aerospace engineering, is going to Holden Beach.

“I’m going with family and friends, and I’ll be there until the start of the school year,” Venegas said.

While at the beach, Venegas hopes to finish a boat that he’s been working on for nearly three years.

“I’m just looking forward to the beach in general, and having a vacation,” Venegas said.

Charlie Brady, a freshman in biomedical engineering, will be visiting Venegas at the beach for about one week.

“I’m looking forward to the beach, and I’ll help Alex work on his boat,” Brady said.

After the beach, Brady will be going home to Gastonia, where he’ll get his stuff ready to move to Raleigh for the school year.

Others don’t plan to travel at all.

Mahboubeh Nejati, a doctoral student in chemistry, is an international student and will be staying in Raleigh.

“I’ll be hanging out with friends,” Nejati said.

Some students are nearing the end of traditional education and are thinking about their options afterwards.

Christa Kaighn, a senior in English, is graduating at the end of the summer.

“I’ll be looking for work, hoping to find something,” Kaighn said.

Although she doesn’t know what’s she’s going to do, Kaighn has a couple of ideas, particularly for grad school.

“I want to study Jewish studies in anthropology. But I don’t know which university or seminary,” Kaighn said.

Lyrechal Galarza, a senior in Spanish, plans to go to the beach and keep working at her job at D.H. Hill.

“Other than that, I’ll be sleeping, reading and playing video games,” Galarza said.

Galarza, who graduates in December, is also looking at grad schools in the publishing field.

Other students will be staying on campus to prepare for the coming year.

Kate Jansen, junior in business marketing and parks, recreation and tourism, will attend R.A. training as soon as the summer session ends.

“I’m an R.A. this summer and will be in the fall, and we have to check out the residents and close down the building,” Jansen said.

The R.A.s eill have training sessions and will get buildings ready for move-in weekend before the school year starts.

“We have to make bulletin boards and door decorations to make the residents feel welcome,” Jansen said.

Jansen is a returning R.A., so her training will not be as intense.

“It’s good for the incoming R.A.s. They can learn a lot during training,” Jansen said.

Besides her R.A. duties, Jansen plans to enjoy her time and relax before school begins.

“I’ll have time for more arts and crafts before getting the books out again,” Jansen said.