It’s that time of the year again: back to school means back to books, essays, and all-nighters. But perhaps the most inevitable thing about returning to campus is one simple question: “How was your summer?” Like it or not, everybody from your old floor mates to your sorority sisters are going to be asking you this question.
Now, some of you are thinking, “No sweat, I had a kick-ass summer.” Others of you may be sitting up from your couch and endless Netflix streaming and thinking, “Oh crap.”
But fear not. No matter what you did or didn’t accomplish over the past three months, here’s a quick guide on how to best make your summer sound fantastic – no lies or invented stories required.
Situation #1: “My summer was THE BOMB.”
You went on your dream vacation, and then came home and had the internship of a lifetime. You hung out with old friends, got into shape, and learned a new language. You went skydiving, swam with dolphins…you get the idea.
In short, you did it all. In this case, answering the “How was your summer?” inquiry isn’t a challenge because you didn’t do anything, but because you can’t make up your mind on which stories to tell first. Sounds like you? Then here are some rules to keep in mind:
Do pick highlights. Ten years from now when you’re looking back on this summer, what is it that you’ll remember most? That moment that just popped into your head? Yup, that’s what you talk about.
Don’t overdo it. It’s great that you had an awesome summer, but be sure to let the other person talk too. You don’t want your Benson run-in with an old roommate to consist solely of you talking. No one wants to be that girl who doesn’t know when to stop.
Situation #2: “My summer was good!”
You got everything you wanted out of your summer, and you’re content. Maybe you worked a summer job or internship and lounged by the pool to de-stress. You didn’t end world hunger, but you still had a ton and enjoyed your time off to the fullest.
Do the same thing that I suggested for those in Situation #1: think about the highlights of your summer, and talk about that. Mentioning your vacation in Hawaii and what you did there is a perfectly acceptable thing to talk about. Plus, it leaves the door open for the other person to ask questions: instant conversation.
Don’t downplay your summer just because you feel you didn’t do anything extraordinary. You still had fun, didn’t you? Bask in the good memories, and the awesome-ness of your summer will be evident.
Scenario #3: “I didn’t do anything this summer.”
You watched copious amounts of Parks and Recreation and enjoyed every bite of your family’s home cooking. You slept in late and had lazy movie marathons with your high school buddies; but that’s about it.
First off, stop panicking. Yes, you did do some cool things this summer, even if you can’t think of any right off the bat.
Do say things like “You know, I didn’t do anything too outstanding, but it was nice to sleep in and hang out with family. Did you do anything fun?” Short and sweet is the key here. You told the truth, but in a positive way. That leaves whoever you’re talking to the impression that you relaxed over break without making it obvious how infrequently you left the couch. For those of you in this situation, it all comes down to how you say it.
Don’t say, “I didn’t really do anything this summer.” This pretty much kills the conversation, and gives off the impression that you’re incredibly boring. No one wants that, especially if the person you’re talking to is that handsome guy from down the hall. Of course you did something this summer, even if it was just for one day or afternoon. Pick something you did that was out of the ordinary or shook up your routine. Anything is better than nothing.
Tips and Tricks
- Mention the outdoorsy things you did. Saying that you went hiking, swimming, or running is a lot more interesting then saying you chilled out at home (but only if you actually did those things, of course).
- Always, always, ALWAYS ask the other person how their summer was. Not only is it polite, it’s also the best way to keep the conversation going. Better to run out of time to talk than to awkwardly stand next to each other in Benson desperately wishing the sandwich line would move faster.
- Be a good listener. Keep eye contact, smile, and put down your damn phone. Listening well is a valuable life skill, and a new year is the perfect time to start getting in the habit of doing it.
- One last tip, especially for you freshman: come to school prepared with your year, major, hometown, and favorite hobby in mind. Most professors still think this is an incredibly unique and exciting icebreaker.
Welcome back, SCU! Happy chatting.
Photo Sources: beachbody.com, theguardian.com