As shown in the charts, the ways college students spend their holidays have changed a great deal from 1986 to 1996. The students who stay at home for the whole vacation have decreased while the students who travel and do social investigation have increased greatly.

In 1986, the students staying at home during the holiday are 55% of the total while in 1996, these students decreased to 32%. The students who travel and do social investigation in 1986 took up 16% and 9% respectively. Compared with 1986, the students traveling and doing social investigation increased by 14% and 19% individually.

The reasons are clear. Firstly, with the development of economy, people become rich. Students can afford to travel. Secondly, by traveling, students can make friends, broaden their horizons, and expand their scope of knowledge, especially, of history and geography. Finally, by doing social investigation, students can have a better understanding of the society and train their practicing abilities, laying the foundation for their later work.

In order to make good use of summer vacation, more and more students will go out to the society instead of staying at home.