It is officially summer (Thank God!) and we are beginning to settle into our normal routines. Perhaps we are living at home, or maybe we’re exploring a new city (or country) over summer break. Either way, this vacation should be about positivity and new experiences. We should take advantage of our summer and the many opportunities that are presented over the next three months. While we all have different summer plans, there are ‘summer essentials’ that we should certainly take into consideration. Make this summer your summer!

Working days

Yes, we all have them, and no, we don’t necessarily enjoy them. While they are not the best days of summer, their importance should not be forgotten. Use these days to impress yourself and feel productive. Set goals for yourself and work to be better at whatever you are doing. Whether you are working as an intern at huge finance firm, or simply scooping ice cream—use these opportunities to learn and grow. Make friends with your co-workers; learn something new about your job or the people that you work with. Think positively and gain something from your summer job. You never know how it could benefit you later in life.

Take-work-off days

Yes, we need to work and we need to make money (like, really, really need to make money), but we also need to remember that college summers will not last forever. These are the days that you call in sick, tell your boss that you’ll be there tomorrow. They are the days reserved for spontaneous beach days, shopping trips, and adventure. When we look back on our summers, the days taken off from work and instead spent with friends and family are the ones that will be remembered. Workdays are important, but don’t let them dictate your entire summer.

Lazy days

These are the Sundays of summer. They are days that are made for sleeping later than 10, and taking a nap at noon. Lazy days are the ones where you finish an entire season of a show on Netflix, or read romance novels all day. Yeah, sometimes you finish the day feeling rather unproductive, but that’s not always a bad thing. We need these days to refresh, to reflect, and to prepare for the next week. Whether it is the summer or the school year, we’re busy. It’s okay to take a day (or two) to put obligations on hold, and let our minds and bodies rest.

Family days

Maybe you go to college near your parents, or maybe you only see them for holidays and school breaks. Either way, summer gives you the perfect chance to spend so many of your days with family. Stay in for a night and watch a movie with your parents, or go out to ice cream with your siblings. Go over to your grandparents for dinner, and take your dogs for a walk with your cousins. It is unknown where you will be after graduation, so take advantage of the time that you have now for uninterrupted moments with your family. Days and moments spent with family will easily become some of our most treasured memories.

"Me" days

There is no denying that friends and family make life better. Sometimes, however, you just need a day to yourself. On these days, don’t hesitate to ‘do you’ - buy yourself lunch, get yourself a pedicure, enjoy your own company. It can be hard to do this during the school year when you are busy with schoolwork and all other obligations that college brings; so take advantage of these days during the summer. These days are the ones that make you appreciate and enjoy yourself.