Seems like everyone else is having the most amazing summer, right? And then there’s you. All your friends have been posting amazing pictures from their exotic vacations or bragging about their totally adult internships. As happy as you are for them, you feel a little inadequate because all you seem to have accomplished is finishing three new series on Netflix. (I mean, how great is that new "Orange Is the New Black?") But never fear my friends, there’s still enough time left for you to turn this summer around with minimal cost and maximum fun! So tell Netflix no, you’re not still watching, turn off that laptop, get out of bed and out of your house to save your last month of summer.
Here are some ideas to make the most out of your time off before school.
1. Make your own adventure
Just because your parents didn’t fly you halfway across the world doesn’t mean you can’t find some awesome places to explore near your house (and of course of which to post artsy nature pictures). Check out local parks for some hiking trails or plan a day trip to some state parks close to your house. State parks usually have free or very cheap admission, and you can visit their websites beforehand to find out what there is to do!
2. Go for a picnic
Summer is meant to be spent outside! And what better combo is there than sunshine, friends, and food? Whip up some pasta salad and head out to the lake for a day of fun in the sun.
3. At-home spa day
Treat yourself! Look up some homemade recipes for facials or hair treatments and spend a day pampering yourself. There are tons of recipes out there, for everything from body scrubs to face masks, that use household items. So go ahead, fill up your bathtub, light some candles, and relaaax.
4. Go to the fair
Funnel cakes! Ferris Wheels! Cotton Candy! Who doesn’t like fairs? There’s delicious food, fun rides, and countless cute photo opportunities. July is prime time for state and local fairs. So grab your crop top and festival shorts and ride the Tilt-a-Whirl ‘til you hurl.5. Shake up your weekend routine
Instead of meeting your friends at Bdubs every Friday, try a new restaurant! Take a chance and you just might find a new favorite to replace your standard honey barbecue wings.
6. Check out local concerts
Before you return home after Friday-night dinner to continue watching your chick flicks, head downtown and see what's going on. There are always fun things to do on the weekends and more often than not, cool local bands will put on concerts. You don't have to pay hundreds of dollars to sit in row 300 and you'll actually be able to hear the music instead of just the sounds of screaming adolescent girls.
7. Shopping spree
Still working a crappy minimum wage job? Don't let that stop you from coming back to school with some trendy new clothes. The trick is to DONATE! Get rid of all the clothes you don't wear and take them to a consignment store, like Plato's Closet, or advertise them on a resale site, like Poshmark.com. Then you can kick off your school year with a sweet new wardrobe and not have to dip into your savings account.
8. Channel your inner model
You have a whole new wardrobe - why not model it? Get your friends together to have your very own photoshoot! You'll have great pictures and memories to last a lifetime.
9. Get crafty
Who doesn't love a little DIY? There's something so satisfying about turning a boring picture frame or bulletin board into a work of art. Bust out the glitter and the Mod Podge and go crazy!
10. Work out
You'll need a hot bod to go along with your killer new wardrobe when you show up in the fall. Grab a workout buddy and set some goals together (two heads are better than one, right?). Or, if you're having a really hard time kicking your Netflix habit, go ahead and start your fourth series (no judgement). Just be sure to do some push-ups or some ab exercises while you watch.
11. Read a book
Everybody knows that the book is always better than the movie! Lay out by the pool to work on your tan and crack open a new book.
12. Go camping
Let your inner child free with some camping. Start a fire, grab the marshmallows, and spend time with your friends under the stars and away from your phones.
Now get out there and take back your summer!
