Travel

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Whether you’re taking a day-trip with your friends or a week-long vacation with the family, make sure to get out, grab your favorite on-the-road snacks and prep that playlist this summer. There are so many things to see and do in this world, even if it’s just the world’s largest rocking chair or ball of string. You won’t regret it.

Relax

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I would be remiss if I pretended Netflix hasn’t taken over all our lives. And for the most part, it’s okay that it has. Take some time this summer to relax, binge your favorite shows, read all the books, play video games until your fingertips are sore. Just remember to balance it out every so often with some social interaction so you don’t get too reclusive.

Get Outside

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Soak up the sun, go swimming, go for a hike or a bike ride, walk the dog, breathe the fresh air. Enjoy the time you have when you aren’t in school this summer, because when you start adulting, you’ll really miss these days.

Get a Part-Time Job or Volunteer

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Okay. Okay. You probably thought I was going to let you get by without doing anything super productive this summer, but there really are a ton of benefits to this one. First of all, if you get a part-time job, you’ll make some cash to pay for all that gas station food you’re going to need for the day-trip with your friends. You’ll also be getting really valuable work experience that will help when looking for jobs in the future or applying for college. If you aren’t looking for full-fledged employment, but still want to gain resume-building experience, consider volunteering at a local organization like an animal shelter or hospital. You’ll be helping others and I promise, it’ll make you feel pretty good!

Visit Colleges

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Again, you might be thinking that this is the last thing you want to do this summer, but if you plan to go to college after high school, it’s never too early to visit a campus or two. Get your parents together, show them the schools you’re interested in and take a tour. It’s the best way to learn the ins and outs of a school and get all the insider info you need to start making your decision.