Ah, summer. The sun. The pool. Sunglasses, and a lot of sunscreen. While the summer is a perfect time to relax and recharge after a long school year, here are 10 things that you should do in order to make the most of your time off.
1. Explore your city.
Whether you're from the big city or a small town, there's always a new museum to visit or restaurant to try. No matter how boring a hometown might seem, the summer is a great opportunity to find new favorite places.
2. Spend a day on the water.
Swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing: You name it. Take advantage of the sunshine and get outside. While I look forward to taking our boat out each summer, do something that's fun for everyone.
3. Volunteer.
Volunteer at a summer camp. Donate time and money to those who are less fortunate. Walk dogs at the local animal shelter. While it's fun to relax during the summertime, we should not forget how fortunate we are all year round.
4. Revamp your style.
You're out of school. You're free to dress the way you want to. Why not try something new? From a new hair cut to a completely new wardrobe, summer is the perfect time to gain confidence and be yourself.
5. Read a great book.
I know you're tired of reading (or ignoring) all of the books you were assigned this year, but take the time to relax with a new piece of literature.
6. Exercise.
Whether we care to admit it or not, exercise does feel good. Don't let your school-year routines fly out the window. Work hard and feel good. While hours of Netflix and air conditioning are appealing (and necessary), exercise can do a lot of good too.
7. Maintain your friendships.
Introduce yourself to someone new, or reconnect with someone you lost touch with during the school year. Keep in touch with friends from other colleges. Spend time with the friends that mean the most to you, but don't forget to check in with those great friends you met in college.
8. Spend time with your family.
If you're a college student like me, you've probably been away from home for a while. Take time to show how much you appreciate getting to come home and spend time with the people you missed the most.
9. Go on a road trip.
Take the day off from work, gather up your closest friends and the fastest car, and get away. Drive up to your favorite vacation spot. Blast the radio. Take lots of pictures. Spend a worry-free day with your best friends no matter what the weather.
10. Try something new.
Make a list of all of the activities you want to accomplish this summer. They can be as simple or as extravagant as you want, but take the time to do something adventurous. It will be worth it.
