Think you're bound to spend another summer working the same old part-time job or wishing you were on the beach instead of stuck in your boring hometown? Think again. Try out this awesome and totally doable summer bucket list!
1. Take an in-state road trip.
Pick somewhere in your state (or a surrounding state) that you've never been. Sometimes taking a two- or three-hour drive is worth it to see or do something new and exciting!
2. Create a blog.
It's free and can be fun if you let it. Depending on your chosen career path, a blog can set you a step above the rest in the eyes of a future employer; you've just gotta keep up with it on a regular basis!
3. Go Geocaching.
If you've never done this, grab a few friends and fill your gas tank! It is a fun way to explore the back roads and see some pretty cool places.
4. Play with tie-dye.
You could tie-dye a shirt, a set of sheets or even a beach towel! Tie-dying is a great way to fill an afternoon, and you will get a fun new... well, anything out of it!
5. Pick an official "Summer 2016" song.
It may only having meaning for you and your friends, but every time you hear it you will inevitably remember some of the stupidly fun memories you made!
6. Plant some vegetables.
This one will have to be done earlier in the summer, but it will give you something to do almost every day. Plus, it is so fun to watch plants grow, and you will have some fresh vegetables come July or August!
7. Make homemade ice cream.
I could not believe it when one of my college friends told me she had never made homemade ice cream. This is by far one of my favorite summer traditions.
8. Create a makeshift slip-n-slide.
This one will be easier if you live in the country. Just find a hill, grab a long tarp and a hose and off you go! If you can, it is fun to dig a hole at the end to fill with water, but it is not totally necessary.
9. Go a whole day without technology.
Grab a few friends and spend the entire day outdoors — no phones allowed! We always liked to go exploring in the woods or take a day-long hike around the countryside.
10. Go to a drive-in movie.
To those of you who did not grow up with a drive-in 10 miles down the road, I apologize. Drive-in movies are so fun, and some of my greatest memories are with friends in the middle of the night watching movies under the stars!
11. Make a Summer 2016 collection.
It could be anything from stickers to bracelets to rocks. Pick an item and make it your goal to get one from as many places as possible this summer.
12. Learn to do yoga.
This may not be for everyone, but yoga is a great workout and can be pretty relaxing. It can also be pretty funny to try to learn with a friend.
13. Go camping.
The idea of camping makes some people cringe, but I guarantee that a night in a tent with your best friends will create some awesome memories.
14. Read a really big book.
Last summer, I tackled "Anna Karenina." It looked extremely daunting, but reading a few pages each day got me to finish before summer was over. It give you a feeling of accomplishment to finish such a big book!
15. Complete a 5K.
I hate running, but I made it my goal a few years back to run one 5K every summer. It make you feel good to do something you think you cannot do. Prove yourself wrong.
16. Write a letter to your future self.
Write about what you are feeling, where you are in life or where you want to be in the future. Put it somewhere, and let it get lost. When you find it in a few years, it will be cool to see how much you have changed.
17. Go somewhere you have never been before.
This is a great thing to do every once in a while. If you accomplish nothing else, at least you can say you tried something new.
18. Take a picture every day.
Then if you are crafty like me, put together a video at the end of the summer and get together with the people you spent the summer with. It is a great way to relive your summer memories before you head back to school.
19. Spend a day watching old movies.
My suggestions: "Dirty Dancing," "Grease," "Casablanca."
20. Start working out every day.
It has been your goal forever. Now is as good a time as any to actually start!
21. Volunteer!
Pick something you love: animals, kids, nature, etc., then go find a place that is looking for volunteers. You will have a blast and help out the community at the same time.
22. Get a tattoo or a new piercing.
I know, I know, this one won't be for everyone. But if you are like me, you've been thinking about it forever. Take the plunge already!
23. Meet someone new.
Even if it is just a random guy on the beach, say hi and have a little conversation. Odds are he/she won't be crazy, but be prepared to run in such case.
24. Find someone to job shadow.
It will be something to do for a day, and you might just learn something new! Plus, it will look great on your resume.
25. Let go of a floating lantern.
I have always wanted to do this. Order some lanterns, get your friends together, let them fly!
26. Make a friend with someone at the nursing home.
The residents love having visitors, and they all have some really awesome stories!
27. Make every moment count.
You only have a few summers left before graduation. Don't let yourself have any regrets. Make awesome memories having new experiences with amazing friends. You will never regret the chances you take, so don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and make this the best summer it can possibly be!
