Long summer months stretch before us, and now we are faced with the decision of how to spend our time.

All year long, students pine for the dog days of summer. But every time we reach the lazy months, our bones turn lazy as well. Our grand ideas of learning things and gaining new skills seems like a waste of energy after spending months cooped up in temperature controlled classrooms. Either that or our brains have deteriorated to mush and we have forgotten all of our lofty plans for summer. So in order to help you use your summer months to their full potential, I have compiled a list of ideas to occupy your time in a more redeeming manner than six hour naps every day.

1. Find a Summer Job

I know this depends on each person, and I also know how tired you are from the past year of school. But right now will be the easiest time you will ever have working a job. During these months, you do not have to worry about balancing classes, extra curricular activities and a job. Also, there is no better feeling than having extra pocket change that you earned yourself and can spend however you please. (But as a side note, don't forget the savings account!)

2. Develop a New Skill

Do you know that guitar you got for Christmas when you were 13 and it has been sitting in your room ever since? This is the perfect time to finally learn. Schedule thirty minutes or an hour every day to learn, work and perfect that one skill. Other ideas could be finally using that sewing machine, trying new recipes out of that brand new cookbook, breaking in that set of dumbbells or learning a new sport. The options are endless.

3. Finish a Project

So you have been working on writing a book, reading a book, knitting a sweater, carving a wood statue, fixing up your car, sewing a dress, painting a picture or mastering a certain technique but due to school, you just have not had the time to devote the needed effort to your hobbies. Good news! You are not in school, so you now have plenty of time to get to those hobbies you have put off for a year. And yes, I know, Netflix is so inviting, but a little time each day can go a long way to getting that project finally finished. Setting a goal to have a set of projects finished by the end of the summer can also be a good motivation for finally finishing.

4. Reconnect with Friends

It's summer and even the most homebody person of homebodies knows that at least one lunch needs to be a picnic with their best friend.

5. Reconnect with Family

This is one summer idea in which the homebodies have a monopoly. But seriously, without the distractions of homework and studying, you should have a few extra minutes in your day to spend with family. Go play a game of "horse" with your brother. Braid your sister's hair. Cook supper with your mom. Crack stupid jokes with your dad. Visit your grandparents.

6. Go Somewhere

Even if you are working a job, your days have much more flexibility than when you are in school. Use this opportunity to go somewhere. Take a road trip to the next county and try a new restaurant. Pretend you are a tourist in your own town and visit the tourist attractions. Go to the museum you have been meaning to visit. Try that brand new coffee shop. Get "lost" at your local park. The options are endless and don't have to break the bank.

This is a magical time in your life. Your responsibilities are little to none, and you have three whole months full of just time. While it is good to have some lazy days filled with T.V., pizza and naps, you can never have this time back. So be sure to use this time wisely. At the end of the summer, you will be thrilled to see how much you actually accomplished. Good luck! And I wish you a productive, relaxing and adventuresome summer!