It is finally here! That glorious three month break before taking on another full semester of classes. The only problem is that there are so many ways to spend the next few months that we don’t even know where to start! A summer bucket list on where to plan a staycation, or which new name brand watch to splurge on would be too long and probably too broad to really inspire all of our UNF collegiettes. But, we have learned over the past few summers things to focus on doing when it comes to summer vacation. More importantly than that, we have found a few things not to do.
DON’T: Binge watch (excessively).
We love Netflix just as much as the next girl, but there is such a thing as too much TV. Lying in bed for the next three months is not the way you should be spending what is hopefully to be a beautiful summer. It’s okay to knock out the new season of Orange is the New Black in a day when it comes out in June. But, when you’ve found yourself four seasons into Lost, but you don’t remember stopping for a bathroom break, it’s time to back away from the computer.
DO: Take time off.
Detach! Unplug. Shut down for a little while—it’s totally okay! In our generation with our advancing technologies, it seems like there is never a time where we aren’t linked in to some electronic, trying to keep up with things that may or may not matter to us. Take some time to just put your phone on silent, log off of Twitter and close Instagram. Go for a walk! Read a book on the green at Five Points. Lay out at the beach. It may sound cheesy, but to take a step away from the fast-paced lives that you’ve probably grown accustomed to and take a moment for yourself can actually feel like a breath of fresh air.
DON’T: Party the summer away.
Summer break and parties every weekend seem to go hand in hand. While it’s fine to hit up a few of them over the summer, we’d have to advise against going out for every single party. The activities that are associated with parties (primping, drinking, the occasional hook up) are all well and good, but in moderation. Waking up every Sunday for three solid months with a nasty hangover isn’t exactly ideal. You don’t want August to come, and look back on the summer to see that the most fun thing that happened was Johnny jumped from the roof to the pool without breaking his entire body. Plus, after about the ninth time seeing someone do a keg stand in three weeks, it kind of loses its appeal, right?
DO: Try something new.
Is there a meal that you’ve been meaning to master? Or maybe there’s a yoga class that you’ve wanted to go to. Now’s the time that you can! There are so many thing that can be done that we often can’t get to because we’re already balancing numerous classes, internships and jobs. Now that the hustle and bustle of the normal semesters has slowed down, there’s more free time to try something new.
DON’T: Get caught up in a summer fling.
Are summer flings even still a thing??
Whether they are or they aren’t, try not to get caught up in something that feels temporary. Feel free to go out on dates and have fun, but avoid getting attached to someone that is only in town for the summer, or someone that isn’t looking for a full on relationship. (That may be the golden rule for any other season, too!) For some, summer may have a serious disconnect from the rest of the year, where things aren’t as permanent.
By fall, you and your fling may have decided that the summer was your time to shine, but decide to part ways but keep in touch. (Eh, probably not.) Or, maybe you’ve had such a great time over the summer that you both have decided to give this thing a chance. Either way, establishing boundaries and rules before settling into a summer fling to avoid a messy break once August rolls around. But remember, there’s always the choice to stay single! Who says there needs to be a fling at all?
DO: Celebrate yourself.
When is the last time that you’ve taken time to celebrate something that you’ve done? Did you completely nail the first week of your internship? Did you finally finish that book you’ve been reading? Have you asked out that cutie that you’ve been swooning over for the past sixteen weeks? Maybe you took the plunge and finally cut ties with that one friend that was just too toxic. Whatever the victory, know that it’s your time to celebrate! Take yourself to the movies, or go on a shopping spree. Treat yourself to a really nice lunch with a friend. It doesn’t matter what you do, just celebrate.
And don’t let celebrating yourself to just be a summer tradition—this is a year round activity. Whether the accomplishment is big or small, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your victories.
Have an amazing summer, collegiettes.
Photo Credit: All credits set in pictures as click-through links to originial sources.