You're already dreading the conversations you'll have when you head back to school. It feels like all of your friends are taking summer to the extreme. "Yeah, so I went to every country in Europe and then got career advice from Oprah Winfrey," and you're like, "Uhhhh I finished seven different television series on Netflix." While binge watching Netflix should not totally be banned from your summer agenda, it also shouldn't be the only thing worth your attention. Summer break is one of the best (and easiest) times to focus on yourself. Give these ideas a try and your summer might be a little more interesting.
1. Pick up a new skill.
Is there something you always wanted to learn how to do, but you never did? Now is your chance! Learn how to play the piano. Become more fluent in Spanish.
2. Explore your hometown.
Find a new place to relax. Try a new restaurant. Even if you think you already know every hangout spot possible, open your eyes to places you might not have seen before. Do you drive past a park after work? Grab a friend and a smoothie and take a walk.
3. Volunteer.
How could you not give back to the place you live? There are two types of people in this world. People who feel good after community service and liars. Do your part in changing your community and you'll actually be helping yourself.
4. Stay fit.
Take care of your self, for goodness sake. This is so important. You will feel a thousand times better if you are well nourished and physically apt. Conveniently, summer is prime time for fruits, veggies, and outdoor athleticism. Eat some watermelon, take a walk. Play a pick up game of basketball. Drink lots of water.
5. Reconnect.
It's pretty simple. Get in touch with old friends and family. Take advantage of and appreciate the time you have with them. Even if you can't catch up in person, people close to you will appreciate a phone call.
6. Host.
Have your close college friends come to you! Showing people where you are from is WAY more fun than describing it in the middle of a frat party. Take your pals to your favorite local restaurants, show them where you went to high school, introduce them to friends from home. Also, if you're lucky, your Mom might feel obliged to make a plethora of baked goods. So, if for nothing else, do it for that.
7. Seek out opportunities to learn from others.
Get wise. Learn as much as you can from the people around you. Listen, ask questions, discuss life. If you have a mentor for your internship, pick their brain and talk to them as often as possible.
8. Get your shit together.
Sounds silly, right? Wrong! Get organized. Be productive and feel good. Set goals for yourself and figure out how to get there. Create a plan for your future. Now is a good time to do research on your dream job, look at graduate schools, etc.
Take this summer and run with it. While you may think that there is "nothing to do," there most definitely is. You just have to be willing to look. Create your own opportunities and adventures. Turn them into stories. Make the most of the summer and take all that you can from it. Netflix will still be here when it's over, I promise.
