Summer brings breaks from homework, some warm weather and much needed relaxation. But it also brings with it distance from school and people you don't want to leave. This year I made friends at Creighton who made leaving for the summer harder than expected. Whenever we talk the same phrases seem to repeat "I miss you" or "can't wait to be back," which is driving the excitement for the school year to be higher than I ever imagined. But even though we want to be together – there are a few things to do to make the distance seem a little less, or at least make the reunion a little sweeter.
1. Read the same book
I know it seems boring, but this is a good way to keep the mind a little active over summer. It's also a great talking point that might be a little different than typical conversations. Everyone interprets what they read differently, whether they get into the book or not, it's interesting to trace these differences and it shows a lot about one another's personality. Plus who doesn't love a little book club!
2. Make a Spotify playlist
My friends and I love sitting in the dorm room and listening to music together, we could do nothing for hours except sit on the floor talking with music in the background. Because of this, we aren't letting three months apart halt that tradition. So my advice is to start a collaborative playlist, and each person can add songs throughout the summer. The music itself is a benefit, but I'm also excited to listen to it when we're together, to see one another's reactions and to hear the stories that accompany each song.
3. Something crafty for each other
In October this year I decided to pick up some letters for my roommate and me to decorate, when I was packing up in May I realized we never got around to an artsy day – leaving the letters untouched for nearly seven months. So, instead of taking them home and forgetting about them I figured we could take each other's initial and decorate for one another according to their personality. It's something special yet so simple that will bond us back to our freshman year.
There's no reason distance should keep you from collaborating a bit, and it'll show a lot about one another. The months may seem long but with tricks like these, the time back together will seem all the more special. :-)
"I thought you knew what you signed up for."
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