By now I’m sure you have finished decorating your new place, picked out the best fall looks, and the back to school jitters are slowly disappearing as classes kick into gear. So now that you’re back in your element, what’s next?
Summer in Boone is the best time of the year, and many college students miss out on the beautiful weather and the opportunities to explore the area without the stress of classes and exams. From late August when the students come back, until mid September is the perfect window to make up for lost time and enjoy the High Country.
Here is a bucket list of things that you can’t miss about this season before the weather takes a turn for the worst.
Enjoy the Sunshine
Get active and soak up some vitamin D! The beautiful weather is a great incentive to go explore a new hiking route, go for a run on the Greenway, or just hang in your hammock. Boone summers are known for being cool and crisp, but come late summer the water is finally warm enough for you to enjoy tubing the New River or visiting waterfalls and swimming holes. Though you may think you have all year to enjoy froyo on Sanford or hike up to Rough Ridge, the snowflakes always begin falling before you know it!
Try the Local Cuisine
If you’re not into exploring the outdoors, you can also have a lot of fun exploring the local Farmer’s Market. The Watauga County Farmer’s Market meets at Horn in the West every Saturday morning until November. Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to buy organic vegetables, fresh flowers, and homemade baked goods while supporting your local farmers! Buying local fruits and vegetables in season is easier on your wallet, better for the environment, and tastes so much better than anything you can get from the supermarket. Summer is known for fresh fruits like melons, peaches, and blueberries (you can pick your own here http://www.leesblueberries.com/ ) that freeze really well and make a great addition to smoothies all year long.
Update your Closet
Although we’re all excited to jump into our new back to school looks for the fall, before you know it you will be yearning for those days warm enough for you to wear those cute shorts again. Enjoy your summer looks while you can, but don’t forget to start stockpiling scarves and sweaters for the next months. If you are a first year student, take the tip from the girl who hiked in a blizzard to buy her first winter coat, and make sure you have the proper footwear and outerwear for the incoming weeks before your first winter storm.
Forge Relationships
While the semester is still young, take the opportunity to make a good impression on your professors. Professors love getting to know their students, and it pays off in the long run to come to them early if you are having trouble, or to just stop in to have them read your rough draft before the paper is due. If you build a solid foundation with your professors, it’s easier for them to help you later in the semester if you bomb a test or need some leeway on an assignment, rather than coming to them late trying to bump up your grade at the last minute.