Your college campus might feel like a ghost town during the summer, especially if all your friends have left. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. There are fewer students around, sure, but there are still places to go and things to do. Here are just a few ways you can make the most of your time on campus this summer.
Focus on Your Goals
Look at it this way: Fewer social events mean fewer distractions, which in turn makes it easier for you to focus on your long-term goals. If you’re taking a class, you don’t need to deal with the stress of a full course load. Aim for a higher grade than you normally would. Are you working full time? Decide how much money you can reasonably earn this summer, and pick up extra shifts when you get the chance.
If you’re going to school as well as working, you may find it more practical simply to find the right balance. Are you not working or studying? Consider applying for an internship, a summer job, or a volunteer job that relates to your area of study.
Make a Bucket List
Working towards a goal is important and everything, but you don’t want to burn yourself out. Make a list of things you’ve wanted to do throughout the school year but didn’t have a chance to do. For example, there may be attractions or restaurants in the city you never had time to check out. Now is the time to visit them. Is your dorm room or apartment in need of a makeover? Check out decoration ideas on Pinterest, and get started on your new project.
Other bucket list items could include trying a new hobby, such as mountain biking, photography, or cooking. There are plenty of activities that are cheap or free. For example, you can learn how to build your own website just by reading (or watching) do-it-yourself guides online. Would you rather spend time outside? Geocaching keeps you active and entertained.
Focus on Your Health
With more free time than usual, you don’t need to settle for a packet or ramen noodles for dinner. There are plenty of easy, healthy recipes you can make, no matter how big (or nonexistent) your kitchen is. Taco salad, homemade microwave lasagna, and overnight oats are just a few options that will help you ignore that KD box in the back of the cupboard.
Another perk of staying on campus during the summer is that it’s easier to make use of on-campus facilities because fewer students are using them. Stop by the gym or go for a swim in the pool, and enjoy the extra space. If you haven’t had your annual physical exam this year, schedule an appointment at the health center before it gets booked up.
These are just a few ways you can make the most of your summer on campus. The key is to get out there and keep busy. Doing so will not only make the months more enjoyable, but it will also give you something fun to talk about when your friends come back in the fall.
