By Hannah Magino
As the frost starts to melt and the flowers outside begin to bloom, it is time to start planning for summertime! You want to make sure you have a plan for a fun and productive summer when the final bell of the school year rings. When you step back through the doors of your school in the fall, you will be refreshed and ready for more. Here are some tips to plan for your summer activities:
Set summer goals
Starting new hobbies or setting goals to get better at your current ones could be good things to plan for. These new interests may provide entertainment or something to look forward to over the summer. Continue to improve over these things, keeping track of your progress. By the start of school, you can look back on how much you have improved throughout the summer.
Plan around your interests
When deciding what to do, make sure you are planning around your interests. Get involved in activities that revolve around what you like. Look for summer camps that are related to your interests, internships in the work field you are looking to pursue, or programs you would like to do just for fun.
Get a job
During the summer, one thing that is common among high schoolers is getting a summer job. With a summer job, you can earn money and save on future expenses like college tuition, textbooks, etc. Also, you start to learn the basics of a working environment and how to financially manage your money. Jobs provide you with first-hand experience in a field you are interested in and you may not get anywhere else. Start looking for places you may be interested in working at or that are looking for help.
Get caught up in school
If you are lacking behind in school or learned something during the school year that you need more help with, the summer is a great time to get caught up. Look at classes offered by your school that could assist in learning something you need retaught or new subjects you are looking to get ahead on. Earning credit over the summer can help make life during the school year much easier.
Spend time volunteering
Volunteering is always a great thing to plan for in the summer. Many opportunities always spring up during this time, and with no school, you are given the opportunity to experience more than if you were at school. For example, go to your local food bank or community center and look for ways to help your community.
Plan time with family and friends
The summertime is also a time to spend time and catch up with friends and family. Make sure that you aren’t spending too much time cooped up. Get out and explore with your friends and family—there isn’t a better time than during these months! Sooner or later, you will be off to college, and planning these opportunities will get harder, so make sure to take advantage of them right now.
Remember: Don’t overbook
Although the summer is a great time to be productive, it should also be a time to relax and destress after a long school year. Overbooking your summer will leave you feeling more stressed and not ready to start the school year refreshed.