It can be a drag to leave your friends and head home for the summer. No more late-night Taco Bell or spontaneous parties without getting yelled at by mom and pops. It's easy to suffer from FOMO while home for the summer and go completely crazy. If that sounds like you, don't worry -- we've got you covered. We've talked to college women around the country who have advice to help you get through this summer at home.
Plan trips
If you can't be at college, and you're tired of sitting around at home, planning trips is the perfect way to escape from a mundane summer. Whether it's a short road trip, or a week-long adventure, a change of scenery is always the perfect refresher.
Rachna Shah, a freshman at Dartmouth University, gives us a few great tips. "I would recommend planning on a trip or vacation somewhere -- whether it be somewhere as local as the next state over or traveling to a country abroad," she says. "If that's not possible, try immersing yourself in another culture through different means -- whether it be by learning a new language (e.g. through your local library's resources) or trying a new cuisine out!" This could be a great solution if you can't stand living at home anymore. So, grab some friends and hit the road!
Get a summer job
A summer job is a great way to stay busy during months spent at home while saving money for the school year. You're sure to get antsy sitting at home waiting for the fall semester to come, so working a job can make it fly by and be an opportunity to meet new people.
Kayleen Parra-Padron, a senior at Florida International University, lets us in on her summer plans. "Instead of being home all day, I work full-time all week and take summer classes," she says. "Otherwise, I think I'd go crazy doing nothing. Typical Virgo thing to do!" It's a great way to make use of your spare time, and she makes a good point with summer classes as well.
Take summer classes
If you're anything like us, you'll be taking some summer classes to get ahead (or catch up). If you aren't going to be near campus for the summer, try enrolling in online classes that you can work on while at home. This is a great way to stay productive. Plus, you won't have to ease back into your studies when you return for the fall semester.
Marialexia Hernandez, a senior at the University of Central Florida, notes the benefits of keeping your mind sharp. "Summer classes get you ahead and keep you busy, too," she says. "When you get back in the fall, the transition from fun in the sun to freaking out all fall is not as intense." Loading your summer with productivity is a smart move, and it will make the days fly by. If it's too late to sign up for classes at your college, try reading up on some of your upcoming classes for fall and getting prepared so you'll be ahead. Or, if you haven't registered for fall yet, do some research on the classes you need to be taking for your major/minor.
Spend quality time with your family
Going away to college can help you appreciate having your family around. Your time spent at home for the summer could be a great way to spend more quality time with the family members you miss during the school year.
Elena Pham, a junior at the University of Central Florida, reminds us that time with your family is limited and precious. "My advice is to genuinely cherish and appreciate your time with your family because once you're graduated, that time will only dwindle," she says.
Although spending time with family all summer may not seem that exciting, those are memories you will hold onto once you've plummeted into the real world after college.
Learn a new skill
Spending months at home means you have endless time to adopt a new skill or hobby. Julia Southwick, a junior at the University of Central Florida, says to, "Learn a new skill: cooking, crafting, others." There are tons of possibilites when it comes to picking up a new hobby during summertime. Whether it's learning how to surf, skate, knit, or paint, taking the time to learn a new skill will save you from boredom and have you returning to school sharper than ever.
Spend time with old friends
Like family, we can sometimes take for granted how much time we get to spend with our hometown friends. It's hard when you see your friends at least five days a week during high school and then part ways. Your time spent at home for the summer could be used to catch up on some of those old friendships.
Emily Schmidt, a sophomore at Stanford University, mentions how she enjoys seeing old friends and spending time in her hometown. "Although it's hard for us to get together all at once, I love being able to slide back into our old ways. When I'm not hanging with my friends, I try to participate in local events my town holds. I come from a really small town, so it's a great way to see other people I haven't seen in a while." The summer months are important for reuniting with your friends from childhood and high school.
Volunteer in the community
Spending time at home means you have plenty of time to do something good for the community. Whether it's cleaning up your neighborhood beach, helping out at the local animal shelter, or preparing food for the homeless, volunteering is a great way to make use of the months you'll be home. Instead of just laying around binge-watching Netflix, you can really make a difference and spend time advocating for something that matters to you.
Sites such as https://www.volunteermatch.org/ can provide you with resources regarding all volunteer opportunities: Animals,Advocacy and Human Rights, Arts and Culture, Board Developments, and more.
Your summer months at home don't have to be a drag. There are several ways to effectively fill your summer with fun, productive, and unique activities that can actually make it one of the best summers yet. You earned your time off, so don't spend it smothered in boredom. There are plenty of options to make every summer a great one.