Last summer was my first summer in Chapel Hill, and oh was it a wonderful experience. There’s nothing quite like the town when it’s void of about two-thirds of it’s college-aged population. The world is alive with greenery and blues skies, and the campus and surrounding area is free of crowds of people, and more open to casual conversations walking up and down Franklin.
If you’re spending your summer in Chapel Hill, make sure you take advantage of that.
If you’re planning on being in Chapel Hill this summer, take time to appreciate everything that makes this town and Universtiy so special. If you’re here, I’m sure that you’re probably busy with classes, jobs, or internships, but take time to take in how lovely this environment is that we get to live in. Calling a place like this “home” is no meaningless thing to do, and you should take a chance to take that into consideration over the summer.
Go on walks up and down Franklin this summer. Do a little window shopping, and spend time being happy and making memories with people in ways that you really just can’t during the school year. If you’re feeling adventurous (and the summer is the perfect time to feel so), then expand beyond the bounds of campus, and explore the town as a whole. Go on hikes, walks on trails that litter the town, and explore all of the nooks and crannies of this wonderful place.
If you have a car, then expand even farther, and explore the triangle! Spend some time at Jordan Lake, and have some fun in the sun. There’s also plenty of state parks to go around in the area, and there’s no time quite like the summer to get out and explore them.
If you’re living on or close to campus, then explore the campus in ways that you haven’t before. Check out the libraries and all the books you can get your hands on, and spend some time strolling through the quad, pit, and surrounding areas. Or, grab a cup of coffee at every local coffee shop that you can find.
UNC in the summer is beautiful. It’s slower, sweeter, and encompasses all of the happiness that you could want. Grab your friends, and get out and explore everything that Chapel Hill has to offer — and trust me — you’ll have a good time. Take advantage of that this summer.