For me, I've always had a deep urge in myself to be productive. I enjoy being lazy and relaxing every now and then like everyone else, but after a while of doing this, I begin to feel like I'm wasting away and not taking advantage of my time. The same happens to me in the summer especially. After a week or two of catching up on the weeks of sleep I've inevitably lost during the past semester, catching up with friends and family, and binge watching Netflix and YouTube videos, I have to get back to work in some capacity. For me, there are a few ways of doing this.
1. Get to work!
There's nothing like a job to take up your free time. Though there are sometimes a bunch of other things going on during the summer, being able to work is a great way to be productive. You aren't sitting around at home all the time — quite the contrary — and you're making money! You can take your hard-earned cash and save it, spend it, take a trip, or fund your expensive (Baylor) education. Despite work being grueling and time-consuming at times, there's nothing like having a job that makes relaxation a million time more enjoyable.
2. Focus on your hobbies and passions!
School can really take your focus — and it should to an extent — from what you want to do to what you have to do. I love reading and writing, but it's really hard for me to get into doing it leisurely when there are so many books to read and papers to write for school. Whether you're making the hottest beats the world has seen or just want to play some pick-up football or basketball, now's the time.
3. Set some goals and make them happen!
Your goal could be to watch a ton of series on Netflix or it could be starting a small business, but regardless, making goals and making progress towards them can give you purpose and make you feel like you're doing something with your summer. Working out and getting into better shape for the summer or for next school year is another great goal to have. Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, do it! You can do it, you just have to put in the work it takes to get there.
4. Do something, anything!
For some it may seem easy to be creative and put something out there, but it's not easy for everyone. Write something, make a YouTube channel, start a blog, write for Odyssey, learn a new instrument, write songs, do random things with your friends, go on a road trip — there are unlimited possibilities. Nothing makes you feel like you've done something like getting out of our comfort zone.
At the end of the day, just enjoy your summer, but don't let it pass you by. The weather's nice, the AC inside is too, and there are plenty of things for you to do in either. Take advantage of your new-found free time and be productive with it. You'd be surprised at how your summer looks in hindsight when you do more than become a hermit potato trapped in your room.
