Finals are over. All is good. No more stressing about classes or tests or assignments or grades, at least until next semester. We have a good 2 and a half months to not think about classes and do whatever we want for the most part. However, if you're experiencing freedom shock from lack of scholarly responsibilities, you're in the right place. Here are some things you can do to make the most of your new-found freedom while it lasts:
1. Be lazy.
Essential. We all need at least a week of laziness buffer time to recover from the brutality that is finals week. This may include, but is not limited to, binge watching your favorite shows on Netflix (or better yet, shows you've never even heard of), sleeping in until at least noon, ordering pizza every night of the week, falling into a much needed nap to a playlist of The Voice auditions on YouTube. You'll eventually need to move on and get out of bed, but this is necessary for now.
2. Be the opposite of lazy.
Now that you have gotten out of bed and have fully recovered, you can get up and do something-yay! Summer is a great time to go outside and get active. Take advantage of the nice weather to come up with an exercise/activity routine of some sort. The great part about it is that you can go for a run on the beach (see pic), go swimming, climb a tree, or run around in a meadow and you're having so much fun that you don't even realize that you're doing good for your body and getting exercise too.
3. Read a book, for fun.
Since we're taking a break from studying for a while, reading a book might be the last thing on your mind. However, reading can actually be relaxing, as well as entertaining, especially if you sit outside and sip on some ice water with cucumber and lemon. Don't tell me that doesn't sound relaxing and beautiful to you like it does to me. The added bonus is that continuing to read will help keep your brain in shape so that (hopefully) it isn't as hard on you when the next semester inevitably comes around.
4. Write a journal.
Journals are a great way of jotting down memories, keeping track of your daily activities, and whatever else you want to remember. I always wrote in journals specifically during the summer when I was young, and I'm so glad I did and I have those to look back on. Summertime is usually the time where we make the most fun memories. What better time to record them than now?
5. Get a job.
Who doesn't want to make money? I didn't have a job last summer, and while I got to take up a lot of hobbies and vacation, I really wished I had made some money when the new semester started up. Not only are summer jobs great for earning cash, but having a job also keeps some structure in your life when nothing else significant is going on, which can help with productivity and motivation to do even more!
6. Travel.
This one is obvious. If you have the money and the opportunity to do so, go somewhere you've never been, and experience something you never have before. Appreciate how big the world is and how much there is to be discovered. Memories and experiences have a greater impact on your life than things. So instead of buying a coveted item with your summer job money, maybe you could save up and buy a ticket to that place you've always wanted to visit. Food for thought.
7. Learn to cook.
I learned to cook last summer and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. We all love food. When you know how to cook it opens up many doors of delicious cuisine you never even knew. It's a fun process that (usually) yields great food, it's a win-win situation. Another perk: say aloud "I can cook, I'll make food" and suddenly you have all your friends at your door! Yay food.
8. Go hiking.
Going hand in hand with getting active, hiking seems to be a more and more popular activity. JMU is surrounded by beautiful mountains and trails that are waiting to be discovered, it's an excellent opportunity to explore and be surrounded by the beauty that is nature.
9. Pick up a new hobby
When you have nothing else to do, why not try something you've never done before and see how far you can get into it. I personally know a lot of people who bought a camera over the summer and started learning how to take pictures that look near professional. A lot of those same people continued that hobby throughout the school year and even started getting paid to do photo shoots. You'll never know what hidden talents you might have until you take the time to explore yourself and flourish your creativity.
