10 Best Ways To Spend Your Summer Before Your Freshman Year Of College
After graduating high school, I expected to have a great sense of utter joy and accomplishment, but those feelings were quickly replaced by a sense of “what now”? I completely underestimated the amount of time I spent on homework during my four years of high school and I had no idea what to do with all this newfound time on my hands. Use the summer to make the most out of the free-time and enjoy home before you leave. These are the 10 best ways to spend the summer before freshman year of college!
1. Get some much needed rest.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, I was finally able to get some quality sleep. No 3 am bed times due to finals or 6:30 am alarm clocks. With sleep deprivation being a new college norm, I would certainly take advantage of this time to sleep!
2. Make some money!
I’ve heard the buzz phrase “broke college student” for as long as I can remember. At first, I was very hesitant about getting a summer job during the summer before college. I wanted to have the freedom to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted during that last summer of “youth.” I came to realize that having a job implemented a much needed routine/schedule in my life and I was still able to do all the things I wanted! Without my job, I would have slept the summer away. While a summer job will not solve all the financial burdens that a college education brings, it definitely helps to have some extra money. Whether it’s a job in a restaurant, in retail, in a summer camp, or a babysitting gig, it really helps to have some cash going into college!
3. Spend time with your family!
This one seems obvious, but quality time with your family is so important! Because the summer before college is truly the last stretch of time that you live under your parents’ roof. During high school, I was definitely one of those kids that would hangout with their friends pretty late and then go home and sleep. During the summer before college, I chose to stay in a lot more often because I truly loved the time I had with my parents. People definitely take living with their parents for granted and miss them so much when they leave. Take advantage of that time!
5. Visit your favorite childhood places.
Make an effort to visit those places that bring back very fond memories. For me, some of those would be the beach, some various restaurants, and the San Diego Zoo. I felt very nostalgic in a good way when I went back to these places and thought about how while so much has changed, so little has changed as well. This reflective period was very special to me before I left for college.
6. Workout more often!
In most cases, a college student’s schedule does not allow for an uber healthy diet or a strict workout regimen. Many college students have said they wished they worked out more often before college because they did not have the time to workout in college. While this could mean going to the gym, it could also mean going on adventurous hikes, bike riding, or long walks on nice summer days!
7. Spend time with the friends you really care about.
I truly found my most my loyal friends during the summer before I left for college. When there is no obligation to see each other at school, it really shows who actually wants to spend time with you. With the odds being that you will not be going to college with all your best friends, prioritize and spend time with the people who you really care about!
8. Avoid excessive drinking.
While it is the summer after you graduate high school and you want to let loose and have some fun, you will most likely be doing a lot of “having fun” for the next four years. Many college students agreed that they wished they had taken that time to detox before entering the college party scene.
9. Take advantage of travel opportunities!
Go on road trips to nearby cities and explore everything there is to offer! If you have the opportunity to travel internationally, do it! Summers during college are often designated for professional internships and more serious jobs, so it may be difficult in the future to take these kinds of trips. Take this time to venture out and experience different cultures, foods, and ways of life.
10. Take a risk and try something new!
I know this is cliché and very vague, but it’s also all encompassing in a very good way! I often get into the rhythm of things and have trouble veering from the set schedule that I have. And I wish I took more time to experience new things and take more risks instead of holding back. If something has been a fear for you all throughout high school, this is the time to face your fears! Try the new things you never thought you would.
