Summer is a great time to do things you love and prepare for the next chapter of your life. While being out of school is great, things may get a little boring so here are a few ideas of things you can do to stay busy this summer. 

The first category is things to do with your friends, my first recommendation with a group of friends is to have a day that you can spend together and every person in the group has to plan an hour of what you all do. For example, one person chooses a morning activity, someone chooses a place to have lunch, someone chooses the afternoon activity etc. This is a great way to make sure everybody feels included and has a say in what they want to do but also no one person has to take responsibility for planning everything. Another fun thing to do is go to the pool for the day; pack snacks, water, sunscreen and games so that you are fully prepared and don’t get bored. The pool is also great because you get vitamin D which is important for your health, but if you get too much you can always hop in the water to cool off. The final suggestion of things to do with your friends this summer is to have a themed party at someone’s house. Some fun themes include dress as something that starts with the same letter as your name, dress as your favorite artist or a favorite power point night where each of you create a presentation to share. Reach out to your friends this summer to hangout because chances are they want to hangout too and by simply inviting them to do something you guys can create some amazing memories.

The next category is things to do by yourself to be entertained. Firstly, summer is a great time to find a new hobby. Try a new sport, learn how to make something new, go for a drive on your own. With so much free time, summer is a great time to exercise and move your body, go for hikes, get in the gym, play pickleball with your friends or walk through a small town or city. Another great thing to do on your own is to learn how to play an instrument. There are so many apps, websites, and resources online that can help you pick up a new skill so easily. It can be so easy to fall into boredom over the summer when there are no strict routines however even when you are alone crafting, exercising, exploring and learning new things can help you stay busy and in a good mindset. 

The final category included in this article is things to do that will prepare you for the future and help you be productive. The first activity is to clean your room. I know it can sound cliche, but really deep clean all of your surfaces, throw out things that you don’t need and find a place for everything you own that way you can stay organized. Sell the things that you don’t need, want or that you have extras of. It’s a great way to get a little extra money and it helps you declutter. Read a book, even though it is summer you should continue to make sure your mind stays sharp over the summer so find a book that you enjoy and read it to keep your brain working over break. Research opportunities for the upcoming school year and into the future. Having an idea of what you want to accomplish and what you want your life to look like in the future can help you decide what are the best steps for you to take as well as let you know what you need to do in the meantime to prepare. Specifically for high schoolers, take college tours, and learn about various majors and career paths so that you can start on the path that you want to take when you graduate. While summer can be a fun time to relax and be with your friends and family, taking steps to organize your space, learn new things and explore your future can help you grow and stay strong for what lies ahead in your life.