I will always be the first person to tell you that I love my school. I am so grateful and proud to attend the University of Illinois.It’s a great school, academically, but there’s so much more here. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting fantastic people, being part of a great Greek system and I have had the amazing opportunity to really grow as a person. Aside from all of those great qualities, we all know U of I is a party school, but I think it’s a special kind of party school. The work hard, play hard mentality that I have seen at this school is truly unmatched and experiencing college according to that motto has taught me so much. As Unofficial 2014 approaches, we can all really reflect on the fact that you can learn a lot going to a party school.
One of the first things I observed here in my first semester of freshman year was the understanding of risk management among students on campus when they go out. We are all very aware that we are in college in order to be employed and the students here make sure to not ruin their chances of a great job after graduation with one bad night. The students here have priorities and great goals, and nothing, especially not a night out at the bars, is going to ruin that for them. That’s really commendable.
Along with risk management, students here have a great sense of time management. In order to work hard, play hard you have to get your work done. Students here have the work ethic to get classwork done in order to have fun. They will hunker down at libraries and work for hours in order to have the opportunity to go out on the weekends. That work ethic is a great skill this school inadvertently teaches its students. Time management is an essential life skill.
Above all, I have learned that the University of Illinois is populated by some really great people and the random acts of kindness that I have experienced have taught me that there are some great people in this world, and a lot of them are my peers. The echoes of concerned friends, and even strangers, about the safety of their peers on a Saturday night are heartwarming. I have helped a completely inebriated stranger more than once, because when people do play a little too hard, we all understand that the person needs help and we, as a community, should look out for their safety. This understanding not only makes me so proud to attend this university, but it has really taught me that people are good.
As Unofficial 2014 approaches, It’s time that we all reflect on how great of a school the University of Illinois is. No lecture is going to teach you risk and time management in order to live your life, or remind you of the kindness of strangers. There is so much more to this school than its academics and everything that goes on here is an opportunity to learn, whether it’s a chemistry lab or a night out.
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Coors Light Summer Brew:
This summer shandy begins this list, it's a mix of lemon, lime and orange. While this is by no means a craft beer, it still has it place as a refreshing summer brew to enjoy.
Leinenkugel Summer Shandy
Solid choice for any summer get together, great taste with a hint of citrus.
Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat
Distinctly reminds me of Fruity Pebbles, but nonetheless is a wonderful summer beer.
Sam Adams Summer Ale
Sam Adams is known for their traditional Boston Lager, but their Summer Ale is damn good.
Hell or High Watermelon
Made with real watermelon, not much is more summer-esque than juicy watermelon in July.
Blue Moon Summer Honey
I love me some Blue Moon, so the summer brew is a no-brainer on this list.
LandShark Lager
Fun fact: LandShark is owned by Anheuser-Busch, and is more commonly know as the signature drink of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
Corona
Obviously Corona had to take the number one spot. To me, there's nothing more refreshing than a cold Corona with lime on a hot summer day.
So whether you're on a sandy beach, a fishing boat, or at a pool, just remember what our dear friend Jack Nicholson said, "Beer, it's the best damn drink in the world."
Drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
Photo by Jeff Hopper on Unsplash
Perfect Weather
Photo by Julian Myles on Unsplash75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?
You'll get an effortless tan
Photo by Roberto Nickson on UnsplashBeing outside is inevitable when the weather is this nice, so slap on some low SPF and enjoy the perfect weather as you become a bronzed beach babe!
You can exercise with a view
Photo by Cedric Letsch on UnsplashWho said working on your summer bod has to stop when summer starts? In SoCal there are hundreds of gorgeous hiking trails in the mountains or on the cliffs overlooking the beach, so maintaining your summer bod is easy on the eyes and a lot less of a drag!
You don't have to worry about bug bites
Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on UnsplashThe likelihood of you getting bit by a bug is slim, so you don't have to worry about smelling like bug spray whenever you want to go outside.
Photo by We have outdoor concerts
Photo by Aranxa Esteve on UnsplashAt the county fair or on the beach, summertime means outdoor concerts with good music and great friends.
We live where people vacation
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on UnsplashWe're lucky enough to live in paradise and we don't take that for granted. We take advantage of our sunsets on the beach and backyard staycation without spending a pretty penny on visiting somewhere that isn't nearly as perfect as SoCal. We're pretty spoiled.
File:Hampton Beach, New Hampshire - low tide - panoramio.jpg ...commons.wikimedia.org
When the summer days end, the beauty of New England does not. Summer nights are arguably the best time of day. At the end of the day, we enjoy the most beautiful sea breeze. I’ve spent so many nights wrapped in a sweatshirt on the porch, counting the fireflies lighting up the yard. This weather also makes for the perfect bonfire. If we’re not at the Wall, it’s very likely that someone will have a fire in his/her yard. If you haven’t huddled up to a fire with your best friends, then I recommend doing so this summer (just make sure someone brings the ingredients for s’mores!).
fire on fire pit during night time
Photo by Mahad Aamir on Unsplash
With the beach, comes the best seafood in the country. I’ve seen menus in other states refer to clam chowder as New England clam chowder, though it’s impossible to understand until you taste it for yourself. Down the coastline, towards Seabrook, NH and Salisbury, Massachusetts, you can find Brown’s and Markey’s. They’re competing seafood restaurants across the street from one another, equally busy on any summer night. One of the most famous ice cream places in New England, The Beach Plum, actually serves award-winning lobster rolls! Seafood is done right in New England. It’s not wasted with fancy silverware and expensive appetizers, but instead served buttery and delicious on paper plates.
Free Images : american lobster, dish, new england clam bake ...pxhere.com
After a seafood meal, ice cream is an absolute requirement. New England summers bring forth one of the world’s greatest rivalries: Lagos versus The Beach Plum. There’s limited inside seating inside both of these places, as ice cream should be eaten and enjoyed outside. The Beach Plum is generally enjoyed during the day, located directly across from North Hampton Beach. As children, we can all remember begging our parents to let us run and grab ice cream before going home. At Lago’s, we get the most refreshing taste of an old-fashioned ice cream shop. The ice cream scoopers record all orders and prices by hand, and add them up with their pencils (no calculators allowed!). It’s incredible how quickly and efficiently this is done. It’s normal to get Lago’s more than once a week, sometimes even more than once a day...the best summer days end with salty skin and sticky ice cream fingers.
vanilla flavor ice cream with chocolate syrup
Photo by Anna Bratiychuk on Unsplash
1A cruises have to be mentioned specifically and separately from everything else, as they are their own New England specialty. Whether you are home for the entire summer, or home for just one week, 1A cruises are a must. Route 1A, or Ocean Boulevard, runs all along the New England coastline. We drive down the road staring at the ocean and the mansions across from it. “Which house would you choose?” was one of my favorite games to play with my family during our drives to the beach. No one knows what the actual speed limit is on route 1A because it always driven slowly, designed as a scenic route. You can start in Rye, NH and end in Massachusetts or just drive along for a couple or minutes—it doesn’t get less impressive. Some of my most treasured memories are those spent listening to country music and gossiping with friends on our “1A cruises.”
File:Celebrity Silhouette (ship, 2011) 002.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org
While there are beautiful places all throughout the United States, I, along with many others, can agree that New England, undoubtedly, is the best place to be in the summer.
Want to know more about summer destinations?
New England isn't the only place with great summers. Our community has you covered on these hot vacation spots:
- 7 Reasons Why SoCal Summers Reign Supreme: Southern California believes it has the best summers and these are some reasons why
- Best Summer Road Trips for Students: Whether you're on a budget or not, these are the places you need to visit
- Top 5 Places for a Summer Vacation: These are outstanding destinations for some fun in the sun
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