Ahhh...the relief of finals being over. For now at least; our GPAs haven't been released yet, so this period of anticipation for the upcoming summer is pure bliss. Most of us are back from college and settled back into our childhood homes. The routine of Summer 2016 has yet to set in, but there are things that I already appreciate about being back home; my mom has done my laundry, I don't have to share a bathroom with people I barely know anymore, and I've gotten to see some people I've been missing.
1. Pools Opening
Come Memorial Day weekend, the neighborhood and private pools tend to open, and the tanning begins. Get ready to be bronzed (with the use of the appropriate amount of sunscreen, of course). Sitting outside in the heat for hours becomes more than bearable when there's a cool source of water ten feet away.
2. Beach Trips
Whether or not your family takes an annual trip to a beach of any kind, there's always the option of a weekend trip with friends to the nearest oceanside to your town. No matter if it's for a day or a week, nothing compares to playing in the sand and rinsing off in the salty waves.
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3. Spontaneous Trips of Any Kind
Random day trips to the river, lake, or water hole to cool off on a sweltering summer day can be the perfect solution to mid-summer boredom. Find somewhere near where you live, put your friends in a group message, and plan an adventure.
4. Going to Concerts
Seeing the bands you love live is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Go to as many concerts as is financially responsible this summer. Just do it.
5. Hanging with High School Friends
You'll realize how much you've missed your best friends from home the first time you all get together again. There's nothing like spending time with the people who know you better than anyone else.
6. Spending Time with the Family
No matter how much we deny it, once we get home it's clear that our families keep us (mostly) sane. They also drive us crazy, but life does seem a little easier when you live with the people who love you.
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7. Someone Else Cleaning / Doing Laundry
I will forever be indebted to my mom for the sheer number of laundry loads she's done for me in my lifetime. I have to admit that it's nice having someone offer to clean your clothes after many months of having that responsibility all alone. Also she dusts.
8. Working
Hear me out--it is nice to get back into a schedule with your hometown job. Working regularly, but not having to worry about studying at the same time is nice. Plus, steadily repairing the damage done to your bank account while at school feels productive.
9. Taking a Break from Classes
Classes are sometimes interesting and can even be fun, but it's no doubt a relief to take a brief hiatus to focus on getting tan and making money. I don't yet miss those long hours in the library; I'm still recovering from the hell that was finals and probably will be for a long time.
10. Having More Food Options
Campus food is great, but if you're picky like me, eating one of the same six meals every day for eight-plus months gets old after a while. Being able to drive wherever I want, whenever I want to get myself a meal (and not feel completely bad about spending money because I'm working now), feels great.
11. Anticipating Moving Back
The summer will be relaxing and productive, and toward the end, we'll be able to start getting excited about moving back into our home away from home. Picking out and DIYing decorations and coordinating with froomies, it's all just more to look forward to! Make sure to incorporate pictures from your awesome summer into your decorating plans for next year.
