With any luck, the summer heat is cooling and stepping outside is remarkably less torturous than it was in July. Cooler weather means it isn’t unpleasant to spend a little time outside. There’s no need to drags tons of friends along or make a party out of everything, so here are six reasons to sit outside and enjoy a life little before summer ends.

1. The change of pace

In the school year, we students tend to keep outrageous schedules. Even the summer can get packed with lessons, jobs, camp, vacations and activities… It’s enough to tire you out completely, though you’ll be longing for the perceived freedom when finals week rolls around. Take an hour to do almost nothing. Pick your comfiest lawn chair or a big blanket and plop down somewhere nice. Don’t bring your phone. Leave the noisy friends and siblings at home. Take your dog with you, even if he’s a pain.

Whether it is the back porch or city park, it’s time to chill. We’re not meant to keep running around all the time every day. A change of pace to something slower is a break and we all need one on occasion.

2. A little creative time

If you seriously can’t sit still, then bring a novel you’ve been meaning to read, a notebook and pen or that embroidery floss you keep telling yourself you’ll use for friendship bracelets. Give yourself permission to not do any of that. Sit and stare. Sleep. Write or read if you really want to.

I like to bring a notebook to write down ideas. I’m not usually ready to write anything, but an unhurried brainstorm never hurt anybody. Besides, I don't do enough writing in the summer. I read a chapter of a book. I let my mind wander.

3. People watching

People are odd and there’s nothing quite like a little harmless staring and eavesdropping for entertainment. Whispering with friends, I try to guess their stories, make up absurd explanations as to why that woman wore that fuschia jacket or just stare with contemplation, wondering silently.

4. Enjoying the (not very wild) wildlife

In my lonely abandoned ghost town summertime college campus, humans are a rarity. Squirrels and chipmunks easily outnumber them, especially after office hours have ended or on weekends. It wasn’t exactly my intent to half tame the ducks and squirrels, but they certainly aren’t shy about asking for food. I make it a point to always carry some oats or Cheerios on me to appease them, since bread isn’t good for ducks. That beady, lopsided stare of disappointment when I don’t bring a snack is enough to inspire profuse apologies to soothe those ruffled feathers. Lesson learned. Besides, they’re pretty cute, right?

5. Making quiet friends

I’ve insisted upon quiet, but you don’t have to maintain absolute silence. There’s nothing wrong with bribing a friend for some genuine conversation to catch up on life. Even better, it’s surprising and brilliant to meet someone else who is out there for similar reasons: The weather is nice, the ducks are hungry and it’s okay to sit and do almost nothing.