With the semester coming to an end and the weather getting warmer, it’s time to start thinking about all the possibilities of things to do over the summer. I don’t know about you, but I have a horrible habit of making large bucket lists of events and ideas, and by the end of the summer, I’ve realized I’ve done nothing. As we get older, too, and many people have jobs, internships, and larger travel plans, it becomes harder to get out, see your friends, and do fun things for yourself. So, in this article, I will try to lay out how I plan on trying to do everything I want to do this summer outside of work, and also maybe try to provide some ideas to add to your summer itinerary.
I imagine most people reading this have a saved list of ideas or things to do in their free time, and this is the time to go through those ideas and organize them into three major categories: day trips or day commitments, high effort, and low effort.
From there, it is important to assess your free time by putting dates, work, personal commitments, and anything else you already know will be taking up your time into your Google Calendar. The goal here is to assess when you have free time so you can start reaching out to people to make plans. Part of my hope for this summer is to get out on lots of hikes and beach trips with people, and many plans like these can be half or full-day trips, which means if they are going to happen, they need to be scheduled early. I think having day trips planned and put in your Google Calendar, even if the day trip is just for yourself, is a great way to ensure it happens. I’ve often realized that I want to go so many places, but without preplanning the free days, I would just spend them at home, not doing anything. Also, if you plan a day trip with friends, and let’s say nobody can make it, still go out on that day trip by yourself. Or also, on the same note, plan day trips also just for yourself. Again, I think this is a way better method of relaxing than spending the beautiful sunny days inside doomscrolling.
Looking into your calendar some more, I would acknowledge where you have “dead-space” — I consider this any time where you are driving, commuting, or eating. These are spaces where you can add in a small social hour, or something in the low-effort activities list. Commuting to work? Listen to a podcast or bring a little activity. Going for a lunch break? Bring a friend or maybe do a crossword puzzle. (Also a great idea to do at Stevens.) I think to fill your cup is to try and also just make use of these dead spaces in a way that feels fun and beneficial to you. I find that when I do things with other people, I often feel refreshed and more energized afterwards.
In the evenings, after your job or longer day activity, if you still have the energy, I would also consider a higher energy event. Make cookies and invite your friends over. Host movie nights or game nights in your basement. Maybe have friends over for arts and crafts. One of the best things you can do over the summer is promote a sense of community with your friends. Many people after work don’t do much besides lying in their house and playing on their screens, so be the one to get people out and social. I remember last summer, one of my friends texted that she had made cookies and people should show up if they had a point in the evening, which ended up being one of my favorite memories because we just all got to chat and eat cookies. I also think that by making activities that you’d want to do by yourself, like sitting and watching TV or playing video games, into a social activity, you increase the fun and memorability of that event. Be proactive, be the one to reach out and make plans. If you want to have a good summer, it is also your part to make the effort.
Lastly, I feel like the best way to fill your cup is to say yes and show up. Say yes when you have free time. Show up when you said you would and make the plan to. Say yes and do the things you need to do to make sure you can show up. The summer is one of the few times in a year when you can have more flexibility within your schedule, and as the years progress, it will become increasingly harder to get out and see people, so make the most of it while you can.
Also, I thought I would add this in here for the people staying in the Northeast or around New York this summer. Trips I plan on doing:
- The Whitney Museum (Free for ages <25)
- The MET Cloisters (Pay what you wish)
- Dance Classes at Peridance ($24 per class for students)
- Hiking In Upstate New York and Pennsylvania
- Watching the Sunrise at Bradley Beach
- Going to the New Jersey Palisades
And then yes, as I mentioned earlier, I plan on hosting some events in the evenings for my friends. I want to give as much time as I can to the people I care about, and I hope this inspires you to do the same.
