Planning and meeting up in the summertime get pretty hectic with working around people's schedules. However, these are a list of tips to get you on track to maintain life long connections.
1. START by messaging them
When it comes to meeting up and keeping in touch with others, it starts with messaging them first! If you truly want to see someone, STOP procrastinating and actually message them! When plans NEED to be planned, it starts by someone actually showing interest. In the minds of another, who might be extremely busy with other obligations this summer, they might really appreciate a message to actually meet up. However, if you really want things to happen don't be afraid to be the one to kindle the relationship! Create group chats or dm for whatever size meeting you want.
2. Set the date
The next step is to set the date. Setting the date can be the trickiest things about planning an event. With more and more people or individuals with tricky schedules, this endeavor gets even more difficult. First things first, you need a comprehensive list of when people are free. Everyone should post it in a group chat and find the best time that works. But, this really needs someone to consolidate some timeframe that works best for all schedules. When this is collected and if there are multiple days ALL individuals of a party are free, sometimes there is a stalemate when people might be unresponsive because they are unsure of which date if ALL dates are free. Therefore, don't be afraid to be that person who states the time, place, and day. If you just throw random dates around with specific details, people can agree or disagree with plans, making the plan more tailored towards the whole group. It's similar to trial and error, if the recommended date is refused for any reason, it can be tweaked to the best time, place, or date.
3. Set the location
Some of the best locations this summer are definitely the beach, a restaurant, or good old New York City. Anywhere you can just sit down and talk is a good way to catch up. Having a good one and one time to learn about the events during their semester or year is a great way to rekindle friendships, relationships, etc. Movies and other places where you cannot talk freely can create a hassle for actually reconnecting. And, if you are against traveling far, it is really smart to plan somewhere close.
4. Save that dough
Some of these excursions can sometimes be pricey. If you have multiple friends or people to meet up, things can really add up. With eating at restaurants that cost approximately $20 per meal or shopping at expensive stores like Urban Outfitters, things can really add up if you go multiple times. I really suggest that if you come into any summer, either get a part-time job or start saving up during the year for that summer. Having a good $200 saved for the summer will do you a lot of help to kickstart your summer adventures. If you are limited when it comes to money, remember there are other ways to keep in touch that is more feasible. There are other places than an expensive trip to New York City or a restaurant, like inviting someone to your house, going to your local Starbucks or Dunkin, or going to the mall without buying anything.
5. Skype, Facetime, etc.
If worse comes to worst and you can't meet up, the advent of social media and different online communication technologies can keep you together! Skype and Facebook Messenger have a way to video message multiple people at one time so there is an element of keeping communication within a group setting. Making time to have a short video chat regardless of one's location and after their busy day plans is a great way to keep in touch. It just takes a little more effort and hopefully good WIFI signal.