Summer is finally here. With all the time on your hands, it’s tempting to curl up in your bed and hibernate with Netflix for the next three months. Not so fast. While summer is definitely the time to relax and recharge, you can also use this time to get things done!

Get a job

Summer is a perfect time for students to get a job and save up for the school year. College is expensive, and those student loans aren’t going to pay themselves. Students should take advantage of the jobs available back home and get hired! Camp counseling, working at a restaurant or retail store, or an internship are all great options. Gaining work experience anywhere will look great on job applications down the road and also keep you from getting bored.

Redo your room

Always wanted the perfectly decorated room but never felt you had the time? There’s plenty of time the next few weeks to browse Tumblr and Pinterest for ideas and have your dream dorm or apartment next year!

Check some things off of your bucket list

Do you have things you always say you’re going to do but never end up actually doing them? Summer is the perfect time to backpack around Europe or go skydiving. It doesn’t have to be a huge trip; for you, it might be taking a road trip, going to a concert, admiring your local art museum, or eating at that restaurant you’ve been hearing is so good. There’s always time to do things you want to do if you make the time for it.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Without the normal stress of homework, exams, and school life in general, you have time to get your life together! Goals you set early in the year have probably faded out of focus and setting new goals for the future will help keep you focused. Whether you’re planning a trip to a different country or figuring out what classes you should take next year, planning ahead is a great way to get ahead of the game. When fall rolls around you don’t want to be scrambling to figure out what you’re doing.

Spend time with friends and family

The school year gets hectic and we find ourselves “too busy” or overwhelmed to have any time for our family and friends. Go out to lunch or just hang out, really, anything where you spend time with people who you love. It’s important to make the time to keep your relationships strong and maintain a support system.

Take a Class

I know this is the last thing most of us want to do but don’t dismiss it completely. Local community colleges have classes for much cheaper than universities and they might have a class you need for a bargain. You could even go outside of your comfort zone and take something new like a ceramics class or an art history class. Taking summer classes means you can earn credit and get ahead of the game and be able to actually write your name when you go back to school in the fall.

Get Moving

Maybe you ate one too many packages of Ramen noodles during all-nighters in your dorm and it’s starting to show. When the weather’s nice it’s much easier to throw on a pair of sneakers and go for a jog, or join a gym for the summer. Anything that gets you moving will be beneficial for your mental and physical health.

Pursue Your Passion

Maybe you’re an avid photographer, or a graphic design artist, or a math genius. Put your passions to good use! Try holding a workshop to teach people how to do what you do, or start up your own little business and make some extra money. If you love something enough you will find a way to do it every day.

Unplug

Do you remember what life was like without your phone or the Internet? If you can’t remember, it might be a good idea to unplug from everything for a few hours, or even better, a few days. Try picking up a hobby you haven’t done in a while, like reading or swimming. Try reconnecting with nature and go on a hike or go kayaking or camping and revel in the natural beauty of the world. There are so many beautiful places in the world that no filter could ever capture.

Relax