Ah, summer. It's a time of endless possibilities, free of any schoolwork or other educational obligations. A time to spend time with friends, relax by the pool and do whatever else your heart desires.

Unfortunately, summer is a lot shorter than it seems, and I'm guilty of squandering some of it. Though I'm not staying up late to finish essays anymore, I do sometimes put off things because "I'll have plenty of time for them later;" only to arrive to the "later" and realize that I don't want to do anything then either.

Summer procrastination is very real, and it may be more prevalent than you'd like to think. We're about one third of the way done with summer, after all. Have you done everything you set out to do when you came home from school in May? If you don't use your time effectively, you'll be stuck in September regretting everyone you could have seen and everything you could have done if you hadn't put it off. Here are some tips to keep you on track.

1. Set realistic goals

If you set huge, unattainable goals (such as travel to every country in the world, start and finish a Pulitzer-prize winning novel, exercise for 10 hours every day), it's likely that you'll never even start working towards them. Instead, try setting some more realistic goals. Perhaps you want to make an effort to see 10 of your closest friends or get a part-time job. Break each goal into simpler steps, then get started right away.

2. Keep track of your progress

Periodically evaluate your progress. How are you doing with your exercise habits? Have you been reading as much as you wanted to each week? If you set a goal along with a friend, the two of you can hold each other accountable.

3. Don't make excuses

Summer may seem like it goes on forever, but the weeks slide by quickly. When a new opportunity comes, seize it! Be spontaneous, even if pulls you out of your comfort zone. There will be plenty of time to lay in bed later. Being a camp counselor for a week or interning will provide you with opportunities in the future, even if they require you to wake up a little earlier now.

4. Above all, relax!

I don't expect you to follow these rules to a tee. Summer should be enjoyable. It's a break from school and an opportunity to catch up with family and friends and explore a new country, or a new job or a new opportunity. Don't worry if you don't think you're falling behind. There are no rules that say you must do a certain amount of activities to pass summer. Take each day as it comes, and have fun in the sun!