College freshman Courtney Nordine had planned to go to Arizona this week with her friends for spring break, but instead, she's stuck in freezing Rapid City, working as a waitress to earn a little more money.

College students are known for having pinched pocketbooks, but they often splurge on spring break trips to warmer climates. However, some South Dakota students say the economy had fewer students taking those trips this week and more going home to work or just hang out with friends.

"The majority of people I know are going home for spring break, but those that are going on a vacation are driving and staying with friends or family in order to save some money," said Nordine, a nursing student at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

"I think college students are definitely doing things differently," she said. "I know that I have been trying to cut corners where possible, and I have been trying to find a few other ways to make some more money."

It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the cold weather, she said Thursday, before heading to Ruby Tuesday for her dinner shift. Even her plan to make money wasn't going smoothly; she said it seems fewer people are eating out these days, and the cash flow has slowed considerably.

College students feel the effects of the economy not with home foreclosures and layoffs, but in the rising cost of tuition, food, rent and even smaller purchases.

"Like a cup of coffee used to be like two bucks," said Katie Fetzer, a Rapid City native studying nursing at South Dakota State University. "And now, you can't buy a cup of coffee for less than four dollars. That's where I've really noticed it."

At school, she said, some people are starting to adjust their majors for the economy, although she is confident she'll find a job in nursing.

Last year for spring break, Fetzer went on a trip to Lake Powell in Utah, spending sunny days on a boat.

"But I did want to save money this year by not going anywhere, so I just came home," she said.

Instead of sunbathing, she is hanging out with friends at coffee shops, thinking about snowboarding at Terry Peak and saving her money for a possible trip to Europe in the summer.

Some students are still taking the annual trip south, despite the economic conditions. They're just on the lookout for the best possible deals.

Alex Massa, a Rapid City native majoring in music at Northern State University, is going to South Padre Island in Texas this year for spring break.

"The trip isn't entirely different from other spring breaks," said Massa, who took a trip to Costa Rica last year. "I tend to find the best rates on places to stay and flight tickets."

Massa works during the school year by playing trumpet for gigs. He said most of his good friends were going home or staying in Aberdeen to work. However, he said that most students, if they go somewhere for spring break, inherently look for good deals, anyway.

"I have not talked to many people that have changed their plans because of the economy," said Massa. "For the most part, students are just going out to eat less and walking more in order to save money."