Hopefully in the last couple of months you have had a chance to enjoy the long days, be outside a lot, be in the water, and all the good stuff summer is made of. Summer can’t last forever, but there are ways to keep your summer vibe going after school starts and good reasons to do so.
First, there is the sense of freedom that summer brings. Without classes and school activities, most students have more free time during the summer. While you will want to maximize your time and be involved on campus next year, you may want to schedule in some “me” time every day or every month. This may be reserved for taking a leisurely walk or giving yourself a pedicure or reading a book that’s not for class.
Secondly, summer gets us out and moving more so than the winter months– and often with friends. After school starts, keep that momentum going. Rec sports through the TRAC makes it easy all year round!
Thirdly, most people take a summer trip or two. This gives us a change of scenery, new learning, and a break from routine. Even though school is starting, you do not need to stay chained to campus from August to December. While you won’t want to be heading out on road trips every chance you get, you might want to plan some small adventures to keep refreshed. A visit to a hometown friend’s college, a weekend in Chicago or St Louis, a nature getaway in Southern Illinois– all are examples of get aways that can be done relatively cheaply and easily without missing a class. Email me at mnoll1@uis.edu if you want more ideas based on your interests.
So print out your best summer 2012 photo to display in your room as a reminder to keep alive the joy you felt this summer. It will help you avoid ruts that can happen when the “honeymoon phase” of the new academic year ends and give you energy to perform and feel “sunny” all year long.