Whether you went home for the summer, studied abroad, took summer classes, or worked at an internship (or co-op), the summer “vacation” will soon be drawing to a close. If you have yet to take a break from work, binge watching your favorite Netflix shows, or studying to enjoy the summer sun with your family and friends, these next couple of weeks will be your last chance to make those sweet summer memories. It’s time to start planning to make sure you don’t feel like you have wasted your summer away. Here are some quick and easy ideas!

Have a cook-out.

Cook-outs scream SUMMER so what better way to end your summer than with a cook-out surrounded by friends and family? Grab some hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad and enjoy a day chillin’ in your backyard surrounded by great company and delicious food.

Go tubing or kayaking.

My initial thought when its hot outside is to spend the day by the pool so I have somewhere to cool off. Why not kick it up a notch by also seeing some sights and possibly getting a little work-out at the same time? There are plenty of places to go tubing in the south. My personal favorite is the Cahaba River but my family used to enjoy Blackwater River in Florida.

Eat outside!

It seems trivial, but it can make things feel much more tropical if you just opt for outdoor seating during lunch or dinner. Enjoy your turkey sandwich on your back porch sitting under a fan or grab a drink downtown with friends and sit on the patio once the sun has gone down.

Take a day trip.

Once classes start up it can be hard to coordinate schedules between group projects, part time jobs, and Alabama football (ROLL TIDE). Take this opportunity to find a fun place a couple hours away and take a fun day trip with a couple friends or family members. Growing up in lower Alabama my go to day trip was usually New Orleans. It’s the perfect mixture of history, sights, and unique food.

Spend a day at home.

Most of you won’t have a chance to just sit around on the couch watching Netflix with your dog again until winter break. So make the most of it now. Watch cartoons with your little brother, help your mom cook dinner, binge watch Gossip Girl with your sister- whatever makes you happy!