It's that time of summer again! (You know, the one where you realize you should probably start doing all the things you said you were going to do this summer). Here are 12 things you should do before you go back to *gulp* school.
1. Take a road trip
Get creative! Find a cool new lake spot or just keep driving until your butts hurt from sitting. Got an end destination in mind but don't know what to do there? This website tells you fun places to visit along the way. Feeling even more adventurous? Play a travel planning game! Have your co-pilot flip a coin at every intersection: Heads turns right, tails turns left. See where you end up! Don't want the commitment? Just pile some friends in a car and ride around the city at night with blasting music and bad singing.
2. Read a book
Unless you don't ever sleep, no one has time to read for fun in college. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all those books you added to your list during the school year. Forget Netflix for two weeks and read before bed instead.
3. Get crafty.
We all say we're going to paint canvases or do some DIY crap for our new dorm rooms or apartments. So go do it! There is no way you can leave Pinterest without some artsy idea in mind. Art isn't your specialty? Check out this list of 20 easy DIY wall art projects. You really can't screw these up.
Not a fan of getting messy? Save those college memories in a scrapbook while feeling relaxed. Be more classy by making online photo books through Snapfish or Shutterfly.
4. Have a bonfire
Take a night to relax with some great friends and even better s'mores. Make a s'mores station to bring out your inner chef.
5. Try some new recipes
Speaking of food, try out some of those Pinterest recipes that you look at once and file away forever. I am always overwhelmed by the number of delicious Pinterest recipes I want to make, so I love when my friend has Pinterest parties. The rules are simple: everyone brings a dish they found on Pinterest! You get to sample a dozen appetizers, main dishes, and desserts all in the same night, and then re-pin each other later!
6. Go on a bike ride
Probably one of the easiest ways to hang out with friends while simultaneously burning a lot of calories. Go to a local park or try some of the bigger trails in your area.
7. Painting With a Twist
You know you want one of those cheesy Instagram pics of you in your apron. If you haven't been to one of these places yet, I really recommend you go. The instructors take you step by step to produce a fool-proof masterpiece. I know the finished product can look super intimidating, but I swear anyone can make a decent painting. Find a Painting With a Twist near you! (Did I mention it's a BYOB, and drinking is strongly encouraged?)
8. Trampoline Park!
I swear the person who came up with this idea is a GENIUS. Adults like them more than kids most of the time. As a former gymnast and kid at heart, the trampoline park is one of my favorite places to go in the summer. Also the perfect place to occupy those annoying kids you're babysitting.
9. Taste test a new restaurant
You go to college for eight months and then BAM new food options everywhere. Make a lunch date with some old friends you haven't seen in a while. Nothing says "friendship" like stuffing your face together.
10. Get your shit together (literally)
Clean! Organize! Sort!
You grow so much as a person during the school year, so get rid of all those clothes that the new-and-improved you wouldn't be caught dead in. (Of course by "get rid of" I mean donate or sell.) I highly recommend ThredUp to get some easy extra cash. Basically they send you a big bag, and you fill it with all the clothes and accessories you don't want. You send it back (free of charge), and wait until other ThredUp members buy it. You'll get payment via PayPal, and whatever isn't sold gets donated.
If you're like me and the thought of just tossing your college notes after every semester makes you cringe, now is the time to sort through all that crap. Go through ALL of your college stuff before you end up lugging that junk back to school.
11. Get all those annoying doctors' appointments out of the way
Probably the least fun thing to ever be written in an article about summer activities. But you have to do it, and better now than later. Doctor. Dentist. eye doctor. Sorry to all you "young invincibles", but an apple a day does NOT keep any doctor away.
I know. It's terrible that you had to leave your pediatrician and their pretzels behind. But the future doctor in me says suck it up and go get your flu shot :)
12. Get a makeover!
Okay not really. I mean you can if you want, but no one has time (or money) for that. Unless you want a free one from the kids you babysit (in which case I don't recommend babysitting before going on a date). Go get your hair cut and highlighted one last time by your favorite stylist. Get your eyebrows done. Get a pedicure with mom before you have to leave her again and not be able to find anything for the next eight months.
This summer is going by too fast for you to nap and be on social media all day! Grab some friends (and maybe some adult beverages) and have a good time completing this list
