Summer break is a sweet, wonderful thing, but let’s face it, some of us can fall into a bit of a slump. All of a sudden you don’t have a class schedule to keep you on track and you have all of this newfound free time that you have no idea what to do with. Listen, I am fully aware that there are much worse problems, if you can even call this one, that people encounter. Luckily, there are many ways to remedy the inevitable summer boredom and also benefit yourself and others.
One great, and extremely profitable, way to keep busy during summer vacation is to pick up more hours at work. Many students have a part-time job during the year, or just for the summer. Why not make a few extra dollars? This way you can do more exciting things during your break because let’s be honest, almost everything costs money these days. Believe it or not, you can also save the money you earned so you don’t have to work so much during the school year. Working more also keeps you busy and gets you out of the house. It’s a win-win!
Another way to stay busy is to volunteer. It’s amazing how many places are looking for people who are willing to lend a few hours out of their week to help out. I think it is beneficial, when looking for somewhere to volunteer, to first realize the things that you are passionate about. Once you do this, there are websites that will match you up with places that correspond to your interests and who are looking for volunteers. How easy is that? Not only will volunteering help keep you busy, it can also help boost your confidence, and you can put it on a resume!
Get outside! It’s summer in Ohio and you know this beautiful weather doesn’t last forever. There are so many cool places to visit and fun outdoor activities to partake in. We are lucky to have so many parks, including the Metroparks, that allows us to enjoy nature even in the city. There are plenty of events to attend and you can even rent a kayak and other outdoor equipment. There is always the option to just have a nice a picnic or walk around as well.
Find a new hobby. I realize this may be easier said than done, but the important thing is to try new things! Who knows you may actually like one of them and turn it into a hobby. It can be as simple as reading, or something like knitting. I don’t know what you’re into, but just try something!
One long term goal that you can start tackling now is to start bettering yourself. This can be interpreted in many different ways and can be more of a personal thing. Summer vacation generally brings more free time that you can use to do things you may not have had time to during the school year. It can be hard to focus on anything besides the daily routine of class and studying during the year.
No matter what you do, I think it is important to use summer vacation to relax but to also work on yourself for the better. Every day you should do something that moves you a bit closer to your goal. This can be finding a job or an internship, or completing a few summer courses. Whatever you do, make sure you are bettering yourself, but also having fun. We won’t have summer breaks forever!
