This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oregon chapter.
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- Get a summer job: You’ve got all this spare time and a desperate need to spend (and save, right?) as much money as possible. Apply everywhere you can!
- Make a summer reading list (and actually read): Maybe you haven’t done this since elementary school, but finding and finishing at least one good book over summer is incredibly satisfying. Venture into the sale section of Smith’s Family Bookstore, the Duck Store, or if you’re near Portland, try to spend a good chunk of time wandering around Powell’s and see what you come across. Look up suggestions from friends, family, or what your favorite celebrities are reading! Then, kick back in the grass under the shade and relax.
- Try something new: Whether it’s bungee jumping, skydiving, or a trying a new cuisine, push yourself out of your comfort zone and into a crazy new experience–make this summer memorable!
- Road Trip: Maybe you’ve been indoors or around town for too long. Maybe you’ve just realized you’re long due for a visit to your cousins. Or maybe your best friend from high school is staying around their out-of-state campus and you miss them to death. Pack some snacks, round up some friends, and hit the road! Don’t forget the epic mix CDS.
- Forget to work out: So easy to do. You went out of town, you’re tired from work, or you had some friends visit, so you take a day or two off. All of a sudden, that day turns into a week and that week is pushing a month, and then when you get the opportunity to go swimming in your new bikini, you’re kind of terrified. Try signing up for some yoga or Zumba classes to motivate yourself, or get a friend to be a running/gym buddy.
- Get back together with your ex: This is NEVER a good idea. But you’re back home for the summer, lonely/bored, and that cute barista or bartender isn’t returning your not-so-subtle advances. Getting back together with an ex is just asking for more drama, especially once you part your separate ways at the end of summer. In fact, it’s not recommended to pursue any sort of serious love if you can see an expiration tag rolling around in September; how sad is that? Or you could drag it out through long distance. Best of luck if you can!
- Shop shop shop: Suns out and you need more shorts, sandals, swim suits, tops, sunglasses, skirts, dresses… Then you’re out down a couple hundred dollars and wondering how you’re going to afford rent and food. It’s tough, but try to restrain your constant need to shop, and maybe try putting away some of that money for next Fall. Avoid buying random store credit cards at all costs.
- Get sunburnt: This is especially important if you have fair skin, moles, or a family history of skin cancer, but the bottom line is that anyone can be affected by skin cancer, regardless of skin tone. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, your risk for melanoma doubles after 5 or more sunburns. And according to the same study, 42% of people are sunburned every year; it’s way more common than you think. So don’t feel shame in grabbing a hat, moving to the shade, or putting on some SPF 15+ sun screen (every thirty minutes is most recommended). Keep an eye out for any irregular moles or freckles and get yearly examinations.