Through all the stress of final exams, presentations, and the dreaded group project, there is one thread of hope for college students everywhere: summer vacation. For those of us who are struggling to land a job and cannot get a response on their internship applications, the vacuum of empty space on the Google Calendar can be a bit overwhelming. However, fear not: here are some foolproof methods to beat the boredom of returning to your hometown!
1. Have some consistent commitments.
One of the hardest parts of summer is having a total void of nothingness. When I have days upon days with no real schedule, it becomes terrifyingly easy to lose a few of those days doing nothing but scrolling in bed. To combat this, I try to create a loose schedule for myself, where I have at least one productive thing on my plate each day. This can be as simple as meeting up with a friend at a coffee shop, or scheduling a new work out class you want to try. Either way, try to incorporate something that will get you out of the mundanity of everyday life. My friends and I have incorporated a “standing hike,” where we have one day each week set aside where one car load of people will visit a nearby state or city park. The invite is open, and the group rotates each week, so it is not stressful or high commitment. However, it does provide an opportunity to spend some time in nature, and catch up with friends.Â
2. Pick up a creative hobby.Â
Creativity is one of the most valuable parts of someone’s personhood, in my opinion. Yet, in the daily grind of going to classes and trying to get homework done alongside extracurricular commitments, the desire to produce something creative purely for fun can get lost. Over the summer, I recommend that you use this time to hone your creativity muscles. Personally, I purchased a small set of watercolor paints and a workbook to learn some watercolor techniques. However, creativity is unlimited. Some other ideas include making a short film, working on a piece of writing, or making some fun crafts with a friend. The important thing is that you can produce something you can be proud of, and that you have some fun in the process.Â
3. Visit your city like a tourist.Â
I think this is truly one of the most underrated things you can do on a free day. Returning to our hometowns, many college students are overwhelmed by the monotony and mundanity of life. Many of us have spent 5, 10, or 20 years in these cities or towns, and struggle to imagine a world in which we are excited to be there. However, if you readjust your mindset to see the city through the eyes of a visitor, you can appreciate the unique features this place has to offer. For me, this often entails visiting a museum (always checking for a student discount), checking out a new coffee shop, and going for a walk downtown checking out new shops and restaurants that have recently opened up, No matter what, this method can always reinvigorate my appreciation for my home town, and help me feel value that place a bit more.Â
4. Try learning something new.Â
With an abundance of time, one of the best things you can do is try to learn something new. There has been a lot of discussion online lately about creating a “personal curriculum” and keeping yourself devoted to learning long-term. Personally, I don’t track my activities so formally. However, Summer is the perfect time to learn a skill that you have been wanting to achieve for a while. These goals can be formal, like trying to progress learning in a foreign language, or learn to play a new instrument, or more casual, like learning some simple skateboarding tricks. Either way, you should have some goals in mind to keep you on track. This can be relatively low stress, but it should require some amount of consistent commitment to work to its full effect.Â
5. Appreciate this stage of life.Â
College summers are an undeniably weird state of being. You’re a young adult who has mostly achieved independence, but for three months of the year you return to the same living situation as your high school self. This can certainly put a strain on relationships, but it can also give you the opportunity to be a carefree kid one last time. The stress of the job market not yet a concern, try to value the freedom from these anxieties. I know it sounds clichĂ©, but it is really important to practice gratitude. Even if things are not perfect with your family, or there is drama in the friend group, or you’re disappointed in a failed application, try to see the good. There really are things to appreciate all around us.Â
Overall, I hope these suggestions have been at least a bit useful to you. Don’t forget to make the most of these last few free summers. When gifted with an abundance of free time, the best things you can do include attempting to better yourself and to build relationships with those around you, instead of spending all your time scrolling on social media and comparing your life to the curated feeds of others. Best of luck with finals, and wishing you a summer full of pool parties, sidequests, and screen-free fun.