Back when the spring semester was coming to an end and the stress of finals overtook our lives, all we did was anticipate the freedom of summer. Now that summer has finally arrived and we have all gotten over the initial shock of no longer having due dates and homework, things can sometimes get... kind of boring.
Being college students, most of us don't have money to spend on eating out every day, vacationing every other week, or shopping every chance we get; so those forms of summer entertainment aren't always accessible to us. Don't worry, though: there are lots of fun things to do that don't involve spending money! I've come up with a list of 10 fun and cheap ways to beat summer boredom.
1. Go to the bookstore
You don't even have to buy anything. Just grab a coffee, sit in the comfy chairs, enjoy the A/C, and read any book or magazine that you'd like.
2. Make a spa in your own home
Glamour has some great DIY spa tricks to make you relaxed and rejuvenated without paying hundreds of dollars. Also, check out their list of at-home beauty treatments you can do with items from your kitchen!
3. Watch your favorite childhood movies
It's interesting to compare your current interpretation of the movie to the way you thought of it when you were younger, and you can pick up all the jokes that went over your head as a kid.
4. Get in shape with a friend
It's been proven that most people are more likely to stick to an exercise plan if they have a friend with them, so start exercising with your BFF! Even if you just walk and talk to your friend for a half hour every day, you can burn lots of calories while you enjoy the summer sun.
5. Plan a vacation
Even if you have no money, it's still really fun to plan an exciting trip. Whether you're planning a lavish trip to Paris (for the future, when you're loaded), or a simple weekend trip that might actually happen in the near future, either way it will give you something fun to do.
6. Have a slumber party
Invite your best friends to sleep over at your house, middle school style. You can watch movies, gossip, and eat all the junk food that your hearts desire.
7. Get a jump start on your future career
You can do this by doing research online, applying for future internships, or even shadowing a person who works in the field you plan to work in. It's a great way to make your summer work for you.
8. Pretend you are a tourist in your own hometown
Every city and almost every town has something that people go there to visit, yet most of the locals never do those things. They are usually inexpensive or even free, and you can find out about them on your city or state's website. Bonus points if you rock a fanny pack or have people take photos of you and your friends throwing up the peace sign at every attraction.
9. Teach yourself about a different culture
Read books or research online about different countries and cultures. You may not get to take your dream vacation right now, but you can learn about the places you'd love to travel to and be more prepared for when you actually get to travel there.
10. Start keeping a journal
You can write whatever you'd like in it, from what you do each day, or how you feel about certain things. Many years from now, you can read it and remember your college years.
