Summer is Margo from “Paper Towns”: beautiful, idealized and elusive.
Summer is a state of mind more than anything else. Although it officially began on June 21, I’ve found that summer only truly starts when your responsibilities end. Summer was the day after your last exam, the day you rode your bike to Baskin Robbins, and the day you swapped out Chuck Taylors for Havaianas. Fall, winter and spring demand your full attention with holidays, academics and extracurriculars. All summer asks is that you get to work on time and appreciate every sun-kissed, carefree day.
This year, fall officially starts on Sept. 23. But for Brandeis students, fall starts with the arrival of professors, pencils and notebooks on the first day of classes, Aug. 27. By this measure, we have about a month left of our three-month summer haze.
Have you accomplished everything you’ve jotted down on that summer bucket list?
Did you watch all the John Hughes movies you’ve never seen?
“The Breakfast Club” is a classic, but have you seen “St. Elmo’s Fire" or "16 Candles"? (If you’ve exhausted your list of Hughes classics, Gregory Jacob’s “Magic Mike XXL” or Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck” are also good picks.)
Did you finally try that new restaurant?
There are only so many days left before your dining options return to Sherman, Usdan and Asia Wok. Take advantage of mouthwatering food while you can! Summer can be busy, but at the very least, there should always be time for a Sunday brunch reservation or a quick bite at your local fair-trade cafe.
How far along are you in your summer reading list?
PSA to incoming freshmen: you don’t have to read that book they mailed you. If you’re interested in book recommendations, feel free to check out favobooks.com. The site aggregates celebrity book recommendations, so you can find out what everyone--from Oprah to Obama--has been reading.
Would your DIY Pinterest board be proud of you right now?
The internet is full of crafting ideas, your city is full of craft stores, and your imagination is limitless...what more could an artist like you need? Pick a project, pin it and get to work! If you get stuck, head to an art class or gallery to pick up some tips from the pros.
How close have you been to a stage lately?
From plays to concerts and dance performances, it’s always an amazing experience to see people who are passionate about art perform their art as best they can. Performance art also holds the incredible power of helping us relate to our own lives by articulating common feelings through lines, songs and movement. These qualities make audience seats the perfect vantage point to start mentally unravelling any lingering drama weighing down your breezy and buoyant summer.
When was the last time you had a real conversation with a family member?
Quality time gets harder during the school year. As much as apps like FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp can help us keep in touch, nothing could ever replace one-on-one time with the people who know us best. Make those family dinners count!
If I were to play your favorite song right now, could you sing along?
Memorizing lyrics isn’t always easy. But if Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar or Drake’s songs are involved, learning their lyrics will be its own reward.
You’ve always wanted to skydive/write/water-ski/draw/DJ…what’s stopping you?
Pick up a new skill or hobby now, and you’ll have just enough time to perfect it before you head back to Boston.
Have you made this summer one to remember? We’ll have to wait nine months before it comes around again.
