School is FINALLY over! That means lazing around and doing nothing, right? Not necessarily. Summer can be a good time to build some good habits, do some things for yourself, and be better prepared for the upcoming year. Without further ado, here are some ways you can have a productive summer.

1. Read

Take a little bit of time out of every day to read. Whether it's a book or a magazine, 15 minutes or 50, new or old, just take some time away from the hustle of the day to sit down with something to read. For best results, pair it with your favorite beverage and sit in your favorite spot. My favorite combinations are rereading Harry Potter while sunbathing and drinking some water or reading my morning devotion over a cup of coffee in a comfy chair. The possibilities are endless!

2. Start Keeping a Planner

If you don't already keep a calendar or to-do list of some kind, the summer is a good place to start. Since you schedule won't be as packed as the school year (for most of you), it will be a good way to start small. Then, when the school year picks up you will have gotten into a habit of writing in and checking you calendar before you make plans or put too much on your plate!

3. Get into a good sleep schedule.

I'm not saying you need to go to bed at 8:30 or wake up at 6:00 every day. But, with school being out of session, summer is a good time to start regulating your sleep schedule. Maybe you could set a goal of how much sleep you want to get every night and try to stick with that. Then the habit of getting a good night's rest will carry over into the school year, eliminating stress and boosting you energy level!

4. Learn a New Skill

Some things you could learn to do include: cooking, speaking a different language (basic words or conversation), sewing, tie-dying things, or anything you've always wanted to learn to do!

5. Clean Up

Go through your closet and get rid of old clothes. Donate or sell any belongings you haven't used in the last year. Deep-clean your living space. Get some new bed sheets (you probably need them). Take this spare summer time to de-clutter your life a bit.

I hope everyone has a great and productive summer!