Somewhere between all the late night adventures and lazy summer days we realized that summer is quickly coming to an end. Before we know it, we will be back at school and trading in our carefree days for classes and late night study sessions. While I'm excited to get back to campus and regain my freedom, friends and routine, I'm equally just as sad to see summer ending. It's hard to look at my calendar and see the days left in my hometown slowly dwindling. As hard as it may be, try not to let these last few weeks of summer go to waste. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the days count.
1. Spend time with family
It can something as simple as eating dinner with your family instead of ditching them to go out with friends, or spending a night in watching TV with your parents. Yes, you are probably at the point in the summer where your mom is driving you up a wall (sorry Mom) and you are more than ready to regain/find your independence in college, but no matter how much you try to deny it, you are going to miss your family and their crazy personalities once you are back at school and won't see them every day.
2. Reconnect and spend time with the friends you haven't seen all summer
Sure, you have spent numerous days with the majority of your high school besties, but there are probably friends that you haven't seen yet also. With college, some relationship are naturally going to fade, but why let that happen when you can avoid it? Shoot a text to your friend that you had lots of classes with in high school, even if they were never in your core friend group. No harm in getting coffee and reconnecting with some old friends.
3. Sleep in your own bed as much as possible
Sleepovers are fun, but nothing can compare to your own bed. Trade sleeping on your friend's floor for sleeping in your bed at home more often. Not only will your back thank you, but you are also going to miss your bed when you are at school sleeping on those twin XL beds. Appreciate your bed while you can.
4. Make a couple last trips to your favorite hometown eateries and coffee shops
You probably have been to your go-to spot a million times this summer, but definitely make sure you visit again before you go back to school and are far away from all your favorite foods.
5. Read a good book
Summer is the time to read everything you wanted to read all school year but were always too busy to read. Whether you have already read 20 books this summer, or haven't read any, pick one up and enjoy it while you still have the time to read what you want and not what your classes are assigning you.
6. Go for a swim
Swimming is one of the most fun and relaxing activities in the summer. Pick a day and make it a pool day with your friends and/or family. Find a pool, slap some sunscreen on, pack a lunch and spend the day lounging poolside with some good company.
7. Have a couple more late night adventures with your friends
It's more than likely that you will be parting ways with most of your hometown friends in a couple of weeks. Spend a few more nights having "Bachelor in Paradise" (since "The Bachelorette" is over [sob]) viewing parties, driving around with the windows down and enjoying the couple nights you have left with your squad.
8. Do some crafting
Paint a couple canvases for your new dorm room at school or decorate a couple of storage bins for you and your roomie. Head to your local craft store (don't forget your coupons!), pick some up supplies and make a day out of it. You'll be surprised by how much fun you can have painting, jamming out to music and enjoying the summer air.
9. Spend time with your pets
Honestly, this might be the most important task on this list to complete. For me at least, leaving my dog is almost harder than leaving my family when I go to school. Take your dog on many walks, cuddle with them lots, and don't take a second that you can spend with them for granted.
10. Start facing reality and pack
As much as we wish we could stay in our own room with our comfy beds and big closets forever, sooner or later you are going to have to start getting all your storage bins back out and pack for going back to school. Make a list so you don't forget anything and head to Bed Bath and Beyond for anything extra you might still need. Also, think of all the things you brought and didn't need at school last year (if you have a year or two under your belt) and leave them at home -- no need to take up anymore space in your box of a dorm room.
Relax, enjoy the sun, and the time with friends and family during these last couple of weeks. You will regret it if you don't when you are back to papers, exams and projects.
