We've done it; we survived another semester. Well, almost. Finals are coming up, but after that? Sweet, sweet freedom. For a few months, anyway. I imagine you're wondering what on earth you're going to do with all the free time you'll have, right? I bet you forgot what having free time is even like. I know I have. So, if you're stumped on how to spend those blissful, homework-free months, I have a few ideas to get you started.

1. Take a summer class

Or two, even. "Wait," I can hear you say, "weren't you just celebrating the end of the semester?" Oh come on, I bet you're just aching to spend more hours in the classroom. Longing for more papers to write, aren't you? Begging for another exam, right? Right? Probably not. I don't think any of us would wish that classes would last just a little longer, but taking a class in the summer might not be as bad as you think. In fact, it might help you. Imagine if you could be taking 14 hours next semester instead of 16. Nice fantasy, right? It doesn't have to be. Take a course for your major over the summer, and you'll have one less class to worry about come fall. Additionally, if that one class is all you have for a month, you'll be able to give it a lot more focus.

2. Get a job

I know, I know, it's not that appealing to escape the loads of essays and exams only to step into the crushing weight of eight hour shifts. However, I don't know about you, but I've lost track of how many times I've said "I can't, I don't have money" these past couple months. With Barefoots/Modero smoothies priced at $4 but tasting as good as they do, the necessary bags of pizza rolls, and things like the pottery sale on Friday, money can disappear pretty quickly. Wouldn't it be nice to begin the fall semester with a little extra cash? And honestly, what job can be worse than finals?

3. Be a counselor at a camp

I've been a counselor for a week at a camp called Camp Good News the past two summers, and I can tell you it's always been one of the best weeks of my year. I have the opportunity to play with kids, watch them have a great time, and most of all show them the love of Christ. What's more, not only do I have an amazing time watching these kids learn, I get to learn from them as well. Taking a week out of your summer to pour into little ones is one of the most wonderful ways that God can work through you and in you. You won't regret it.

4. Restudy all the material from last semester

If you took any classes that pertain to your major, chances are that you're gonna need all the information you just learned in the future. And it's even more likely that you barely remember what was covered the first week of class, and maybe not much after that either. With all the material that's thrown at us in a span of four months, it'd be amazing if we retained it all. Thus, it sure wouldn't hurt to give it a review. Not only will you be better prepared for the next semester, you might discover that you actually enjoy what you're reading this time around.

5. Resume an old hobby or pastime

With countless hours spent either in the classroom or doing work for classes, it can be difficult to find time for the activities you used to do. Whether that's catching up on the newest seasons of The Flash or finally finishing that book you started two years ago, make use of the time you're given when you don't have any pressing concerns.

6. Write letters

How often do you get to really talk with people who don't go to Union? When was the last time you spoke for more than a minute with your grandmother? Sure, you might text them. Maybe you even call them. But there aren't many things that mean more to a person than receiving a hand-written letter from someone they care about. Now's your time to update your loved ones on all that's been going on in your life, before you become too busy again to share it with them. Also, writing letters can be quite therapeutic.

7. Workout

Is there anything worse for you than the college diet? It's so easy to eat junk food over healthy things when you don't have anyone to tell you not to, especially when you're just sitting in your dorm. If you haven't lost your freshman 15 yet, or don't want to gain it back, hitting the gym might be something to consider. Get in shape now, because during the semester it's all too easy to tell yourself you've got too much work to go workout. Plus, working out isn't just good for you physically, it releases endorphins that boost your mod and relieve stress. The best way to forget the strain of finals might be lifting some weights.

8. Catch up with non-college friends

College is something that takes a lot of focus, and it can be easy to forget that you once had a life outside of it. So much of your time is spent doing things at college, that the friends you had before you started freshman year seem to kinda fade into the background. You just don't seem to have the time anymore to stay in touch, try as you might. Well, nothing's stopping you during the summer. Get together with your old gang, or the bestie you had before college took over your life. You may be surprised to see how much you've both changed, and perhaps you'll even find that you have more in common than you did before. Whatever the case may be, they've had different experiences from you the past several months, and hearing about them may teach you something that your classes cannot.

9. Restructure your sleeping schedule

Do you even remember what it's like to get more than five hours of sleep on a regular basis? When eight uninterrupted hours of slumber wasn't a rare luxury? The nights when you actually went to bed before 2 a.m.? In college, essays, exams, and projects often have us pulling all-nighters. A few of those, and it's basically impossible to catch up enough on sleep to do anything more than escape full-blown, mind-numbing exhaustion. I'm pretty sure "tired" is just a part of my personality now. But without class work keeping you up, you have the opportunity to get back into a regular sleep schedule again. Sure, in the moment watching "just one more" episode of Agent Carter seems more enjoyable than sleep, but wouldn't you rather be able to go back to school with a functioning brain?

10. Focus on the present

My freshman year has absolutely flown by. I was always told that it would, but I didn't really understand just how fast the time disappears. College is so often "go go go" with almost no time to just relax. It seems like I'm always anticipating that next due date or exam day, or waiting for the weekend. I'm constantly having to be future-minded, because if I don't stay ahead of everything, it's going to crush me. It's a lot to manage sometimes. This summer, wherever you are and whatever you're doing and whomever you're with, just take it in. Focus on not having to be rushing to get everything done and take it slow for once. Enjoy this time you have away from the craziness of college. Because before you know it, it'll be syllabus day of the fall 2016 semester.