Great news!

It's Summer time! School's out and you're free to do what you want!

Question is, what are you gonna do with that time and how are you gonna use it effectively?

Summer can be a period of relaxation, a time to recharge your batteries, but it can also be an endless mirage of mindless pleasure where you end up getting bored really quickly. In a sense, summer can be a double-edged sword. You're on your own, you're not following anybody's schedule, and you get to organize yourself and go at your own pace. But how is that schedule going to work out?

Here's a list of things to do over the summer to keep yourself occupied and prevent possible boredom.

1.) Summer Reading.

You might recoil at the thought of doing reading, since you just got out of school and already spent hours reading a mega text for class. Plus, those books you read were required. School books aren't up your alley, so your longing for a book to your liking is taken away.

Don't let the hours you spent studying kill your love of reading! Yes, summer is a time to catch a breather, but I've found that in my experience, if you stay away from a book for too long, you feel less intelligent and good about yourself. You lower your IQ by not curling up with a good book.

Read for your entertainment. Read what enthralls you and transports you to another world.

2.) Find a job/internship (anything that makes bank).

Worried about what you have in your bank? Are you a poor college student with no money? Want to be able to make your own expenses?

Now more than ever is the perfect time to apply for a job or internship (and if it's not paid, the experience is still worth it). You'll feel good about yourself. Yes, while you will be working shifts and running on a given schedule, it's worth in the end. Think about what it'll be like to afford your own car!

3.) Get your cardio on!

Do a fitness program over the summer. Anything from cardio, yoga, pilates, and jogging. Whatever gets you moving and in shape. P personally, I like to do Insanity's Workout.

4.) Watch great TV shows.

Yes, I said it!

Binge-watch. Go on Netflix. Take a look at a couple of shows. Here's a couple of recommendations: Daredevil, Vikings, Arrested Developed, Game of Thrones, Orange is the New Black, How to Get Away with Murder, Luke Cage, American Gods, etc.

5.) Reach out to friends.

Catch up with a friend, whether it's local or out of state! Go seek mischief, you trouble-makers!

6.) Movies + mall + shopping= get out of the house.

Grab somebody, anybody--a designated driver perhaps--and do something! Go out and socialize with your friends.

7.) Treat yo self!

But above all, treat yo self! Go see fireworks, plan a trip to the beach, look up summer movies, go out to the club, find a bar, and have fun!

Make summer a time of organized fun!