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A Graduating Student’s Guide to Summer: Bucket List Edition

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wilfrid Laurier chapter.

As a graduating student, you feel a wave of emotions during the last few weeks of school.  Sadness- because you’ll miss your friends and your res life (cue waterfall of tears), happiness- because you won’t miss school, and confusion- because… well, life.  We’re all bombarded with the idea of the “unknown” after uni, but one thing that’s always going to be a sure thing is SUMMER.  I always feel like I’m in High School Musical 2 every time I think about the countdown to summer.  TBH I’ll be the Troy Bolton of the group, throwing my papers away after that final exam timer expires.  Anyway, my point is, to commemorate the end of an era, one must part-take in an epic summer bucket list of things only a graduating student will appreciate.  Let’s get to it: 1. Travel

Whether it’s on a grad trip with your friends or a solo back packing trip around the globe, make sure you take advantage of your summer and travel.Go big or go home.You might never be able to take this much time off again, so see things you’ve always dreamed of seeing and go to places that will be sure to have your insta feed looking FIRE.​

2. Try something new

I always told myself I would learn how to cook.Not basic food like Mac and Cheese but real, Chrissy-Teigen-cookbook-worthy food.TBH her cookbook would be a good place to get cracking.If uni taught me anything, it’s that no matter how many times you eat Mr. Noodles, it doesn’t taste any better.Step out of your comfort zone and try something new this summer!Try out some new recipes like me, find a cool new thing to try, or conquer a fear.Anything goes!

3. Family Time

You’ve been away for four years, or, if you live at home, you’ve been spending more time with your textbooks than your family members! Take time this summer to spend time with your family and loved ones. Go on a fun fam trip to the beach, play some tennis, or have a picnic in the park! The sky’s the limit.

4. Learn a New Language

I recently downloaded a super fun app that promises to teach you a new language in just a couple of minutes every day!Whether you need to use it as a travel accessory for a trip or to impress your friends, learning a new language helps enrich your sense of culture and will definitely be a useful skill to have later in life! PS. the app is called DUOLINGO- try it out!​

5. Volunteer

If you’re not down to work this summer (who is???) take a go at volunteering! You can usually make your own schedule and it feels great to give back.Every bit counts, so definitely try this out this summer!

6. Road Trip

If travelling to a far off destination is not budget friendly for you and your crew, try road tripping!If you get a group of friends you can all pitch in for gas and it’ll be such a fun ride down!You can plan a cool stay-cation or camp out under the stars.This works for any budget and there’s no limit to who can join!​

7. Job Hunt

Don’t spend your entire summer busting your ass about finding a full time job, but scroll through some different job websites or check out local job wanted ads once in a while. Maybe you’ll unexpectedly find your dream job after spending some down time by the pool.

It can be a bittersweet moment, graduating.  But, you’ll always have the sweet memories of uni, and this Summer Bucket List will ensure that those memories never stop happening!  XOXO, good luck Collegiettes, & happy summer!

Wilfrid Laurier Student who loves anything and everything related to fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Constantly living life though the wise words of fashion icon Coco Chanel, who preaches, "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."
Jenna Steadman

Wilfrid Laurier

4th year Psychology major at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo ON.