At the beginning of every summer, I write myself a to-do list. Simple as that. When I was little, my parents used to write it for me, but as I’ve grown up, I’ve transitioned into writing it myself. In the past, it included studying for the SAT a little each day, or reading part of a book each day, or making sure I helped my mother around the house with whatever she needed that day. The list was fairly general; each year the list changed only in the application of each general course of action. Each day, I was to accomplish most (or all) of the things on the list. Although I resented the lists when they were created for me, I’ve come to greatly appreciate this way of setting goals for the summer. If you generally like lists (like me), you know that it feels great getting to cross off things after you’ve done them. Summer is a great time to take the things that you’ve been pushing aside and bring them to the forefront of your mind. Here’s where you should start...

The list goes as such: each day, you, Haley, must:

1. Do something nice for someone else

This could be as simple as “paying it forward” or giving a stranger a helping hand.

2. Do something for your health

Work out! Every day! There’s no excuse during the summer.

3. Do something for your mind

Study. Read. Learn something new. Improve your intelligence.

4. Keep in touch with your friends

Make plans with a friend every day. Or at least reach out to a friend every day by texting or calling them.

5. Help your mother

This was specific for me and my sister, and usually entailed cleaning our messy rooms or helping cook dinner. This will always be on the list, as per my dad’s request. It can be applied to your roommate, housemates, or other guardians. Be helpful and courteous to those you live with.

6. Work hard at your job

This wasn’t on the list when I was younger, but when I started to work during the summer, it was added. If you’re working, do your job well. Should probably go without saying.

7. Do something fun

It’s summer, after all! Enjoy yourself. Safely, of course. And not at the expense of someone else or their feelings.

It’s a pretty simple skeleton, so you can add your own specifics. Each summer I apply what I’m doing and what’s going on in my life to fit the list and what I have to do each day to improve myself and the world with the time and freedom I have during the summer (without school). Summer is an opportunity to do something great for you and the people around you. Even if it’s small, accomplishing something over the summer that you’ve been putting off is a wonderful feeling. Whether you lose a few pounds or you take a summer school class to get ahead or you mend a broken friendship, no task is too tiny or too daunting that it can’t be addressed over the summer. Summer goes by quickly, so make the most of your opportunities, and stick to your lists!