Well, for college-aged people, we just hit our 6th or 7th week of vacation. The thrill has started to wear off, and you’re finding yourself to be, well bored. So, if you’re sick of the “go to bed at 3 a.m. and wake up at noon and spend your whole day on your computer because you have no friends and no job haha life sucks” cycle, I came up with a list of some activities you could try to hold off the cycle of self deprecation -
1. Do something artsy - This can be anything from picking up a pencil and sketching, to watching YouTube tutorials on how to knit. Plan an activity or project that involves you creating something – this can include cooking, so try that Tasty recipe that you’ve had your eyes on for a while. Try tie-dying some old clothes, or upcycling old t-shirts.
2. Pick up a lost interest – during school, we’re all so busy and stressed about our work, that we can sometimes lost interest in our hobbies. Set aside some time to pick up a new book (or a favorite), plug in your video games system, and even empty out your wallet on the Steam sale, which started recently. Or, if you’ve never played a video game or read a certain genre or haven’t listened to some sort of music, check it out! You might like it.
3. Get some chores done – now that you don’t have to worry about school, you have plenty of time to get those projects done that you’ve been putting off. Now’s the perfect time to repaint your room, do some gardening / landscaping, or even some late Spring Cleaning. Summer is also a great time to go through your closet, and donate clothes you haven’t worn in years. It may seem like hard work, but the result will be extremely rewarding and very fulfilling!
4. Treat Yo’ Self – if you have no friends to hang out with (or they’re far away), then hang out with yourself! It’s okay to go shopping by yourself, or to see movies on your own. Treat yourself to a day at the movies, get your nails / hair done, stop by that café you’ve always wanted to go to, buy some flowers for yourself, or go shopping at your own pace. Nothing’s wrong with a little alone time.
5. Nap – okay, I know, this sounds ridiculous, but sometimes a nice nap is all you need to stifle your boredom. Find a nice cushioned area with PLENTY of pillows, and maybe a fan to keep you cool. The best is someplace in the sun, but still inside with plenty of AC to keep you cool.
6. Try different drinks – speaking of keeping cool, for those of us who are legally allowed to drink, try making some drinks instead of just grabbing a bottle. There are plenty of summer fruity flavors to choose from, which also gives you an excuse to hang out with friends.
7. Go someplace you’ve never been – with this extra time, try going to different places that you’ve never been. This works especially if you don’t exactly have the funds for travel. Try going to a new restaurant, or a restaurant that you’ve always passed, but just have never been. Trying being a ‘tourist’ in a nearby town to see what it offers, or try taking a walk in your own downtown.
8. Stop by your local library – the library usually is a great source, other than to find books on information. there are DVD rentals, E-books available, music / CDs, and so, so much more. Most library usually host community events as well, so keep a look out for the different events that your library may have!
9. Take a Class – okay, I know this is going to sound redundant, but trust me, summer courses in college are different that the normal 4 month long courses that you take during the academic school year. While the pace is much more rushed for each 2-month long session, not only are you able to get ahead academically, but you feel as if you are learning for the sake of learning, instead of being forced to take a class. And, if you finish all the classes that you need to, summer courses gives you wiggle room to try other classes that you’ve been interested in.
10. Go to a Concert – depending on the bands playing, concert tickets can be pricey, but try going to concerts that have bands you have heard of before. For example, I went to a Fall Out Boy concert two years ago, and while it was great, the tickets were way overpriced. Usually free concerts or concerts with $30 or below tickets are just as fun! This also gives you the chance to check out other bands, and expand your music taste.
