During the school year, the thought of going home may seem heavenly. Exhausting final exam all-nighters are replaced with relaxation in your own bedroom and parents to take the burden of responsibility off your shoulders for a few months. However, we’ve all fallen into the rut where the travel back home turns into the quick realization that it may be more boring than fun. With no college friends nearby and limits on the freedom you’ve been accustomed to, how do you deal with these next few months before school starts again? Not everyone has the cash to travel abroad and not everyone has the drive to take a summer class or volunteer. Do not let this thought get your spirits down, because Her Campus is here with some creative ways to spice up your summer this year!
Build a Fort. At home you have a larger space, more blankets, and more free time. Bring out your inner child and use your imagination to create a giant fort in your room! Bring in some pillows, flashlights, games, and invite siblings to join the fun. Tapping into your youthful silliness is refreshing after spending a year stressed out over classes.
Attend a High School Performance. A major perk of college is ending school earlier than high schools. Take advantage of the your newfound free time by checking out your high school’s choir concerts or plays. The tickets are dirt cheap, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the talent of young teens.
Find New Restaurants. In high school, we all frequented the mainstream restaurants. Dig a little deeper through online research or ask neighbors to find more obscure eateries that may be family owned or new. Make it an adventure, as if you’re in a new city!
Play in the Sprinklers. Yes, like we did when we were in elementary school. Get creative and bring out the popsicles, lemonade, your siblings, and hometown friends. It’s way more fun to cool off this way rather than sitting in air conditioning.
Visit Historical Sites in Your Town. You don’t have to live in big cities to have interesting places to visit. Every state has secret nooks and crannies that carry history. Google some spots and take a day trip.
Have a Bonfire. One of the best parts of summer is the smell of a campfire on a cool summer night. To add to the magic, make delicious s’mores and reminisce with old friends.
Experiment With Your Cooking Skills. Now with more free time and more resources from your mom’s stocked pantry, experiment by creating new foods. Google provides links to plenty of free recipes from sites, including Food Network and Cooking Light. Try Pintrest as well to discover some quick and delicious dishes. You will learn through trial and error what combination of spices and foods work best. Come this fall, you may be the new Rachel Ray of campus!
Invite College Friends to Get a Taste of Your Home Life. It is difficult to transition from seeing your college friends 24/7 and then going cold turkey all summer. By inviting them to your home, you can spend time together while allowing them to get to know your roots; it may bring you guys even closer together.
Attend a Summer Festival. Most towns have an annual summer celebration. Do some online research or ask around on the best festivals in your city or state! Even though you may not have as many festivals as Ann Arbor, there are probably other equally fun events right in your hometown.
Childhood Movie Marathon. Spend time with your family and catch up on old videotapes of you as a kid! It is a feel-good experience to relive old memories and makes us appreciate the journey that has shaped who we are today.
Not all of us live in lavish or exotic cities, but that doesn’t mean that our cities don’t carry charm. The small town streets carry memories of us growing up from children to young adults; our first day of school, our first friend, our first romance, and more. These stories embed a unique beauty to the seemingly average-looking sites. Rediscover this charm by exploring new places and reminiscing about past experiences. You will make new memories and before you know it, these summer months will have sped by!