4 Things to Do If You Don't Have Summer Plans

By Alicia Geigel on May 25, 2018

It is now the time of year we all have been waiting for. The persistent anxieties of assignment deadlines have diminished, the stresses of passing final exams are melted, and the exhaustion of keeping up with the demands of school for the semester have gone. Congratulations! You have survived another school year! Now, it’s time to celebrate perhaps the most anticipated season of all seasons: summertime! Growing up, I ALWAYS looked forward to summertime. For me, there was nothing more exciting than to be free of school responsibilities and have the chance to take a breather, relax, and have fun. Summertime was and continues to be something I look forward to because my birthday is at the end of May, always making me excited during the months of school for what the future held (hopefully some cake and presents)!

Having all this time on your hands after consecutive months of monitoring deadlines, working tirelessly, stressing too much, and not sleeping enough, may be both freeing and a bit scary. As a student, it is hard to break out of a schedule you have been accustomed to for such a long time, making the adjustment from school to summer break, a slightly difficult one. A million thoughts can run through your head: “What do I do now?, “How am I going to spend all my time?”, “What should I be doing?”, etc.

I know that you’ve probably thought of these problems in your head because the same has gone through mine, especially being a college graduate. The idea that I am officially done with college (for now at least) and now am no longer limited in time or place or responsibilities is an incredibly freeing but overwhelming feeling. So, if you are stumped as to what to do for the summer, I promise you that you are not alone and others are sitting in their bed questioning the same things you are. Are you a student that has recently finished a semester of college? Confused and unsure of how to utilize your newfound freedom during the summer months? Looking for ideas to fuel a fun and active summer? Check out my four ideas below that will guarantee you a summer full of relaxation, fun and “me time”!

girl, food, popcorn, remote, tv, relax

Image via Pixabay

1. Catch Up on Reading or Your Favorite Show.

While I know some people may criticize me for suggesting a tip for enjoying summer indoors, I promise it is worthwhile. During the school months, many of us do not have time to indulge in our favorite pastimes like watching our favorite TV show or reading up on a favorite author’s new book. Doing so can make you feel out of the loop and slightly detached from the world, which is why catching up during the summer can make you feel great! Once you’ve handed in that last assignment and filled in the final line in your blue exam book, scope out your favorite shows to see if they are on Netflix or Hulu, and let the bingeing begin! The second my classes were over, I decided to revisit Jersey Shore (to honor the new’y revamped series) and boy did I have fun!

2. Explore.

There are so many of us that are limited to one spot during the school months. Regardless of the reasons, this kind of limitation can be isolating. The summertime is such a great opportunity to explore what is around you, near or far (if you’re able to)! Check out events that are being hosted near you, such as festivals, farmer’s markets, flea markets, etc. Travel to a fun amusement park that you haven’t been to since you were a kid. Make a day trip to the beach with a friend and bask in the freedom of no curfews!

hands, hold, group, team, together

Image via Pixabay

3. Volunteer.

If you are looking for more fulfilling activities to engage in during the summer, look into volunteering! Because of openness of many people’s schedules in the summer, the opportunities to volunteer are basically endless! Perhaps you want to give back to the community by volunteering at a soup kitchen or maybe you want to be more involved by volunteering at a walk/run that benefits a good cause. Finding what you love to do and what fills your heart is most important. For those of you who may be having trouble, VolunteerMatch is a great site to help you get started. Megan Shuffleton of HerCampus notes, “You can plug in where you are and what interests you, and the site will generate opportunities near you.”

4. Start Something You’ve Always Wanted To.

While in school, many of us students don’t have the time to invest in things that really interest us. For some, it’s starting a business and for others, it’s creating a blog or YouTube channel. The summer opens up a whole world of possibilities and gives you the time and freedom to let your creative juices flow and invest in something you’ve been dying to. Get out there and follow your dreams!

The summer months come and go with the blink of an eye, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t overwhelming trying to figure out what to do during this time. Maybe you want to take summer classes, research grad schools, learn a new language, road trip around the country- the choices are endless because the world is in your hands! Regardless of how you spend your summer, just be sure that your actions are authentic to you and your heart. As always, good luck!

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