5 Tips for a Great Summer

It’s finally here!

Summer is in full swing, and if you’re a student, that most likely means no schoolwork and no intensive schedule to follow.

You’re ready to relax as you’ve worked hard and earned this welcomed break. It may feel like summer will last forever and that you’ll have plenty of time to do all those things you think of doing during the school year.

But while summer is a nice stretch of time, June, July, and August go all too quick…

(Can you believe it’s almost July already?)

So to make the most of the endless sunshine, here are five thoughts on how to make your summer great.

Set Some Simple Goals.

Plan what you’d like to accomplish during your time off. Is your closet about to explode or are you unable to close your dresser drawers? Have you taken a lot of pictures and want to see them displayed in a scrapbook that you can share with friends? Is your family taking a vacation or seeing some relatives you normally don’t get to see? Write out a few thoughts on what you can do this summer and assign a time by when you’d like to have each one done. Think in terms of daily, weekly, monthly. The timeframe is completely up to you and is flexible. You may find there is something very satisfying about having a list and checking things off once complete.

Visit Family and Friends.

Summer is a great time to reconnect with others. Think of people you wish you had more time with and make a conscious effort to contact them. If seeing them in person isn’t always an option, schedule times you may be able to text or talk to one another. Sometimes the relationships that could use a boost are the ones within your own home. Try to find one-on-one time with your mom, dad, sister, brother, and grandparents. Ask questions, do something they like to do, go shopping together, share in the chores—all are great ways to spend your time and you’ll most likely get more out of it than you think.

Read.

It’s so tempting to binge watch Netflix and stay vegged out on the television or media device of choice. But reading enriches your life and horizon. More often, the words on a page come to life far better than they can on a screen because, as the reader, you’re privy to knowing intimate thoughts and details of the characters. Read a classic novel because you want to, not because you were assigned it. Check out a non-fiction “how-to” book on something you want to know more about. Find times to disconnect from social media and plug into an actual book…there’s something about turning actual pages.

Schedule Exercise and Outdoor Time.

Some people have no problem finding time to work out, but if you’re like me, staying active requires planning. Maybe you have scheduled activities like going to the beach or taking a hike. Enjoy a bike ride, play tennis, take a swim—organize some friends to get together and go bowling or throw a Frisbee around. The Florida summer sun can be draining, so think ahead and try to do activities early in the day or later at night. Always drink plenty of water before, during, and after, and use that sunscreen!

Volunteer.

Maybe you are of working age and have a part-time job over the summer, but you can also perform some acts of service. Offer to mow the lawn or help an elderly neighbor unload groceries. Bring in someone else’s trash or recycle bins. Play with younger neighborhood children who you know, or give a single mom/stay-at-home mom some time to herself.  Surprise your mom or dad by doing something kind and unexpected around the house. You’ll be promoted to “favorite child” (unofficially, of course) for sure.

Enjoying “downtime” doesn’t mean you must stay idle. This summer, no matter what you set out to do, set your eyes to do something!

What personal goals do you plan to accomplish this summer? We’d love to hear from you.

Post by Suzan Kurdak, former FLVS Communications Specialist