Whether we’d like to admit it or not, summer is coming to a close. Soon it will be back to school and the routine of waking up to go to class and doing homework. Regardless of if you’re excited or dreadful, there are a few things that you should try to squeeze into your last weeks, to make sure you can say you’ve had a fun and relaxing time.

1. Meet up with your friends.

The friends you had in high school, that you may not see very often when you’re away at college. Make plans to see each other at least one last time before you go your separate ways.

2. Hang out with your family.

For most of us, they’re our main support system. Give a little extra time and attention to them before you part ways for the semester!

3. Spend time indulging your hobbies.

Whatever it is you enjoy doing for fun, you may not have a significant amount of time to do it during the school year. Stack up the minutes doing it now, so that you don’t feel desperately deprived later on.

4. Try to get back into a regulated sleep schedule.

Okay, so most of us have stayed up way too late, and slept in way too long for a majority of the summer. Whether it was for a summer job, TV, or other things (like Pokemon), we all need to regulate our sleep schedule for at least a week before we begin school again. Doing so will help tremendously in a few short weeks.

5. Start getting yourself cleaned up and organized.

It’ll help when packing to move into a dorm room, or if you’re not making that transition, it will help you to focus more and find things easier when the school year starts. And let’s be honest, cleaning sucks now, but it sucks even more when you have seven papers to write and nine chapters to read.

6. Set aside relaxation time.

If you’re at all like me, you don’t relax at all from mid-August through early-May. Be sure to fit some time in to relax before the school year starts up again. Your local Walmart should have some great face masks and a Redbox DVD rental. Use them.

7. Make sure you have all you need to go back to school.

Notebooks, pens, book-bags, clothes; whatever you’ll need through the semester, make sure you have it ready to go so that you’re not scrambling at the beginning of the year. If possible, order your textbooks early, to pick up in your bookstore when you move in. It will save a lot of hassle.

8. Cross something off of your summer bucket list.

Go stargazing, take a road trip, go to a concert, finish a book, have the ultimate sleepover; whatever is on your summer bucket list, be sure to try and cross it off before school starts. You’ll have a great time and make lasting memories that will get you through stressful times at school!

9. Enjoy outdoor summer activities while you can.

Soon the pools will be closed, it won’t be biking or running weather, and your dogs will be so tired of sitting at home. Make sure to make the most of outdoor activities while you can! Playing sports with friends or just getting out for a while is a great idea.

10. Start saving up money.

You won’t be able to work as much during the school year, and you’ll be dying to get out with friends. Make sure you save up a little now, so you can do/get whatever you need to later.

11. Don’t freak yourself out.

Yes, let Paul Revere yell it in the streets: “School is coming, school is coming!” It is nothing to stress yourself out about, though. Now is not the time to worry and stress- now is the time to relax and have fun. Make the most of your last few weeks, and have a wonderful semester!