As we enter into the last month of the school year we are blinded by the light at the end of the tunnel; that tangible element of victory that cheers on another successful benchmark reached in our college careers— summer vacation.
For many students summer vacation signifies an almost four-month hiatus from the academic environment as they say their temporary goodbyes and head home. But because of Pepperdine’s relatively early finish date returning home can mean a lot of alone time while your friends remain in school for several weeks. We’re left to our devices as we sleep eat and watch television to our hearts’ content.
But after about a week of nonstop vegetation boredom sets in; we fall prey to sitting idly by and losing precious days of our summer vacation. Luckily there are a few simple tasks that can keep you preoccupied for those vital first 31 days of summer until your friends return in June.
Plan a road trip.
Since we get out so early in the summer it would be easy to find good rates at almost any hotel (try using Expedia.com Studentuniverse.com or Hotwire.com). Just get a couple Pepperdine friends together and hit the road. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States so why not enjoy the view from Pacific Coast Highway as you roll down the windows and drive off into the sunset?
But where to go? That’s the best part— it doesn’t matter! You have three months of summer to kill (or at best 31 days) so whether it be a long trip across the country or a short weekend out road trips promise a great way to bond with Malibu friends before splitting ways for the rest of the summer.
Get a job.
During the summer the job market opens up as tourists and students home from college create a high demand for local services and products. The benefit of being available in May is that much of your competition for job positions will be in class or studying for finals. You are free to pick your employer as you see fit. Do it within the first couple weeks after returning home and if executed well you can secure yourself some summer cash and experience.
Go on a family vacation.
Since less friend time means more family time anyway why not take advantage of the pre-tourist season and go on a vacation? May offers the perfect time as crowds are not yet at their season peaks lowering package deals on tropical or unique destinations.
Revert to your childhood— have fun with your family and enjoy anything your parents are willing to pay for. Nice dinners spa treatments a good resort and a pool… and all you have to do is spend time with your loved ones. It’s a win-win situation.
Pick up a hobby.
With all the free time you will have during the day why not develop a new interest? Check out a nearby junior college or community center and see what classes they offer. For a small fee you can learn how to make jewelry sew golf play tennis or anything else you can imagine. You have a month to learn a new skill and impress all your friends when they come home.
Who knows maybe you’ll release your inner prodigy.
Read.
Reading? On your time off? Yes this is a subject of great debate. Don’t you remember those times in third grade when you got to read whatever book you wanted and usually finished in about a week because your “homework” consisted of doing multiplication tables? Get that feeling back.
Your free month is a perfect time to sit on your keister in the sun work on your tan— which will be the envy of all your friends— and enjoy a book you’ve been wanting to read. Make it happy make it sad funny dramatic romantic whatever your heart desires… just go and do.
Besides the obvious benefit reading offers it is also a cheap pastime if you find a library used book store or even just re-read old favorites on your shelf. During the school year we rarely get to have this much “me time so why not take advantage of it? Grab life by the spine— so to speak— and lose yourself in a world you haven’t explored before.
Visit your friends.
Think about it— May offers the perfect opportunity to visit your friends at their respective universities. See how they live, sleep, eat and hang out, and in the process, gain a new perspective on life at Pepperdine.
Your friends will love seeing you before school’s over and getting to share their new world with you. It’s worth the trip to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new.
***
No matter what your preference, the first 31 days of summer hold the potential for all sorts of exciting things. So choose your path, follow it and let the adventures pour in.
Nothing can be more relaxing or entertaining than an entire month of doing whatever you want, whenever you want to do it. Now go— your summer awaits you.