The spring semester is coming to a close, and that means SUMMER IS COMING! Even though Texas heat sucks, it means super fun times that you can be away from school and overall work, right?

While it's awesome that I get to go home to my family who lives five and a half hours south of Austin, I'll still be taking two summer classes per summer semester — so four summer classes the entire summer, not including one lab each summer :( — as well as volunteering, working as a pharm tech (passing that test first, lol), and possible shadowing opportunities.

Adulting is hard and stressful, y'all :(. So, I think these five tips can help you be able to pass some of that summertime blues that you'll be spending alone a lot of the time. Beware: these are very minimalistic things because I'm a simple girl, there is nothing to do back in my hometown, and I am a broke college student, haha.

1. Take advantage of the food and HIT UP ALL THE RESTAURANTS EVERY DAY WHILE YOU'RE THERE

If you're like me, where you'll be going back to a predominantly Hispanic city, you'll be ready to eat all the Mexican food you can. For me, it's great because while Austin does have some Mexican restaurants, they're not near campus, and Tex-Mex could never replace genuine Mexican food to me. But honestly, in a lot of smaller cities, the most fun thing to do is eat, so...

2. Learn a new language

I'm so tired of only really being fluent in one language, so if you're like me, why not try to pick up a new language this summer — even if it's just a start! 30 minutes out of your day would be a good start, I think!

3. Go window shopping and try on EVERYTHING

Ok, so maybe not all at once, but you know, maybe one by one, haha. Even though I know I most likely won't be buying any of it, it's cool to try on new things as it gives some joy, but maybe that's just me?

4. Read, watch videos, study, do whatever at the pool

Or, yeah, you can just not do that and relax! You've worked hard for such a long time and deserve some "me" time! I need to find my city's pool because I'm tryna tan in other sections of my body other than my feet tan from my Birkenstocks, lol.

5. Take up a new hobby

Can we just take a moment to appreciate THE wholesome Bob Ross? Honestly, painting is such a joy, but this time is such a great time to pick up a new hobby: watching a couple of Netflix shows here and there, journaling, singing so loud your neighbors can hear you...yeah, this is YOUR TIME that you can choose to do so many things during!

While I'm sure there are so many other things we can be doing alongside our work, I know for me, time management is still something I need to work on, haha. All I'd like to say is, I hope everyone has a wonderful, restful summer that is much needed to replenish our spirits! And maybe, just maybe, I will be seeing you around campus. I love new friends!