ENDURING the heat inside the classroom, earning for extra income, or working for an academic requirement is not anyone’s ideal summer vacation. But while others bum around, frolic on beaches, stroll in malls, and visit tourist destinations, there are some who have no choice but to work and slave this summer.
Such is the case of summer students, working students and interns, who work. But even with limited time, resources, and opportunities, one could still enjoy what remains of the summer with some smart time-management and proper planning. Here are ways to make summer into a fulfilling break despite everything.
1. Clear a path.
Focus on whatever needs completion. The more you concentrate, the faster you get things done, and you have more time to do whatever summer activity you have planned. Cleaning your room or doing that favor your sister has been asking for the longest time should be done immediately. The more you put these on hold, the greater the likelihood you would have a backlog of duties and things. If you put the responsibilities aside soon, you can be free for fun.
2. Travel.
That you have less than a month to spend your break does not mean you cannot travel to those tourist spots where everybody has gone to since the start of the break. Visit tourist spots that people have long forgotten or taken for granted. Places less frequented by summer tourists are cheaper, not to mention less crowded. Famous tourist destinations are over-rated and over-priced.
3. Wear the right clothes.
Summer gives everyone opportunity to wear light and bright clothes.
4. Play.
Get into sports— but not just any sport. Play something unusual or a sport you have never tried. Never mind the usual games. Play the games of the season-from indoor games, bowling, rock climbing, hiking, mountain climbing. Besides, you would probably need to shed off some of those pounds that you have accumulated after sitting all day for months.
5. Dare.
Nothing beats the feel of a new experience. Face your worst fears in a pleasurable way. Swim if you are afraid of water or skydive if you are afraid of heights. Play with your weaknesses.
6. Relax.
Catch up on the things that you have taken for granted. Hang out with friends. Watch the television show you have not seen for a while. Watch a movie. Read the book that has been on your bedside table for ages. Surf the Net and check your e-mail. While you are at it, try to build a website.
7. Do nothing.
Or while everyone is doing something, you can choose not to follow the bandwagon. Since you have been doing something for the longest time, and will be stuck with more work and responsibility again soon, the joy of bumming around doing nothing will be pleasurable.
8. Or you can prepare.
It is never too early to prepare for the coming school year. Familiarize yourself with the subjects you are about to take. Ask your seniors about what preparations you should do. If possible, gather handouts, past exams, or even notebooks for reference. Find out who your professors might be. Advance reading and research would not hurt either.
In the end, don’t measure your summer vacation by the places you have been to, the things that you have bought from your outings, or the clothes you wore. What is important is that you know that you enjoyed, whether you had the whole two months or just a few weeks.
