So the school year is finally over, and you couldn't be more excited to be done with classes. All you want to do is just relax and enjoy yourself over the 2-3 month break you have been blessed with, so that's what you do. But before you know it, you'll look at the calendar and realize it's already August and you have barely started working on the things you needed to get done. This "vortex of unproductivity," as I like to call it, can easily happen to any of us this summer. However, there are a few ways you can avoid it and conquer the summer of 2016.
1. MAKE LISTS.
And not just in your head or on your phone. Writing down what you need to do really helps you commit to doing them, especially if you keep the list somewhere you'll see it every day. You can make a list for the entire summer and/or a different list for every day; either way, you will find yourself more motivated to get things done. For an extra boost of motivation, show someone else the list so they can hold you accountable.
2. Unpack as soon as you can.
Whether you're coming home from high school or college, you will have quite the pile of stuff from your locker or dorm in your house at the beginning of the summer. Figuring out where to put all of it for the next few months before you go back to school can seem like a very boring (and maybe even menacing) task. By starting to unpack the first day you can, you eliminate the opportunity for the temptation of laziness to take its toll.
3. Keep a schedule.
This not only prevents you from forgetting appointments and events, but it also helps you plan out when you will do the various tasks you want to get done. Scheduling things in advance helps you procrastinate less and accomplish more.
4. Spend more time outside and away from technology.
Whether it's Instagram, Buzzfeed, Tumblr, or something else, it is surprisingly easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "I'll just watch one more video", which leads to two more hours of meaningless scrolling. I'm not saying you should boycott technology completely but try to avoid spending excessive amounts of time on social media by going outside and staying busy. By doing this, you get exercise, vitamin D, fresh air, and you can just have fun, either by yourself or with friends.
5. Read.
Fiction or non-fiction, there are very few downsides to reading. Reading expands your vocabulary, provides new information, and just helps you relax. You can read just about anywhere, making this a very versatile activity. If you can't find a book right away that interests you, try looking up a book you've enjoyed in the past on YourNextRead and find similar books that other readers recommend.
6. Go places you've never gone before.
Without classes taking up the majority of your day, you will have more free time to explore the area you live in. Even if you have a summer job, you still have days off you can use to visit new places and have new experiences. This doesn't by any means have to be an extravagant vacation; it can even be in your hometown.
7. Get working on that one personal project you've been meaning to start forever.
We all have that one project we've been meaning to work on but just haven't had the time for because of classes and studying. Now is your chance to finish reading that book series, make that short film, or work on that new invention you thought of.
8. Volunteer.
Not only does it look good on your résumé, but it also allows you to help your community in different ways. Libraries, hospitals, churches, and homeless shelters are usually very welcome to people willing to volunteer. There are most likely several volunteering opportunities near you in fields you're interested in, you just have to find them.
9. Clean out and reorganize your room.
Any time of year is a good time to clean and organize, but with the additional free time at home during the summer, this is the prime time for going through everything you own. Chances are, you have some clothes or toys from when you were younger that you still have to this day, even if they don't have any sentimental value. Organizing your room can also help you organize your mind and feel more in control of your life, as crazy as that sounds.
