Whether this is your first summer after you have experienced college or your fifth, you know that summertime is not all sunshine and good times. Mixed emotions flood your brain: happiness, depression, anxiety, and anticipation. While you were away at school, you missed your family and friends back home all year long, but now that you have moved back home you realize how much you miss college. Let me tell you something, it is okay. This past year has changed you in many ways, and each day you learned something new about yourself. You have gotten a taste of freedom and started figuring out life for yourself and making memories that will last a lifetime. More than likely, your school has become your second home.

From living with your family again to those awkward encounters in the store with people you went to high school with to all the free time you now have, moving back home can be a challenge. A dear friend of mine told me that those who really enjoy college have the worst time with summer. Honestly, you are doing something right if you are feeling all these emotions.

So here are some tips to minimize your summertime sadness.

1. Invest in family

Home is truly where the heart is. Your family missed you while you were away at school, and truth be told you missed them too. Try to stop dwelling on the fact that you miss your college lifestyle and enjoy the time you have with your family because soon enough you will be out in the real world and these times will be hard to come by.

2. Plan day trips

Take a day to go somewhere that you have never been. You never know what you might discover. Call up your friends or take your dog on your adventure.

3. FaceTime

If the group message is not cutting it for you and the distance is too long to drive, plan a time that you and your friend can FaceTime. Another way to communicate with your long distance friends is through an app called Houseparty. This app allows you to talk to multiple friends at once.

4. Read

This is perfect for those rainy summer afternoons. Pick up that book that you have been wanting to read but just have not had the time. Reading can take you on adventures that do not cost a thing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

5. Try a new hobby

Get on Pinterest and find something that you have always wanted to try. Log onto YouTube and watch tutorial videos. Learn something new that you can take back with you to college and amaze all your friends.

6. Get a job

It does not have to be the most glamourous of jobs, just do something to get out of the house. In the meantime, you will also be earning some cash.

7. Volunteer

Give back to your community. This is one the easiest ways to feel like you are not wasting your summer. You get to help other people in need, and at the end of the day you feel good about yourself because you made a difference.

8. Netflix

Catch up on your favorite series or find a new one!

9. Sleep

Take some of your extra time to catch up on all the sleep that you missed out on during the school year. Your body will thank you once August comes back around.

10. Set goals

Sit down and make a list of things you want to accomplish during the next school year. This makes you look forward to the times ahead and gives you an opportunity to prepare yourself during the summer.