It’s that time of year again, folks! Throw away those old anthropology notes and science textbooks, it’s time for you to make a U-turn in productivity!
Woah, woah. Hold up there, chap. That is the opposite of what you should be doing. Throwing away all desire for efficiency is a very common route to take when going off-season (whether it be from school, work, et cetera) and can really cause you to catch the Summer Blues.
I myself have recently been diagnosed with Summer Blues. Pathetic, I know. I sleep much too long every day, play video games for the majority of the afternoon, and stay inside. Kingdom Hearts isn’t going to beat itself, even if it is the seventh time I’ve done it. You’d think the game would know what to do by now, but alas, here I stand.
This bad start hasn’t broken my spirits, though. I’ve decided to compose a list of helpful tips on having an active mind, healthy body, and a productive schedule during summer vacation. Enjoy, and good luck!

Painting by Jay Alders

1. Set an alarm- You slept for thirteen hours today. Seriously? Take a look at yourself, you still feel groggy and fatigued, don’t you? Set an alarm to keep you from wasting the day under the covers. Keep the time set about eight hours after when you normally hit the hay, and leave it there. Try to wake up at the same time every day (unless you’re up and about beforehand) to keep yourself from sleeping all the time. Being well rested is important, as is having most of the day to wake up to.

2. Get Dressed & Shower- Do this first thing in the morning. Scrub off those layers of sweaty grease and get yourself in some actual clothing. No, stop putting on clean pajama pants. Get yourself in some clothing you would be comfortable wearing in public. Staying in your pajamas all day will keep you in the do-nothing-all-day rut. And that’s no good. Dress as if you’re going to accomplish something and your body will abide.

3. Eat Full Meals- Only a couple, not copious amounts of snacks. You should avoid the temptation to snack the day away, otherwise your health habits will take a nosedive. Wake up and eat breakfast or a brunch, and then one or two other big meals later in the day.

4. Limit Electronics- We’re in a digital world, friends, but sometimes it can be good for your mind to go back to analog. Can’t get yourself away from the television? Leave the house. Get on your bike, go to your closest park and read a book. Maybe bring a friend too. Your day will feel twice as long if you avoid going on that Netflix bender.

5. Read some books/Go to your library- I’d recommend thirty minutes to an hour of reading a day at least. And I don’t mean articles or forum comments on the internet; get a book. The “I don’t have time” excuse does not work. If you really want to do something, you can make yourself have time for it. That law goes for everything.

Books contain copious amounts of knowledge. Read about cars, science, dating, magic tricks, scary zombies, oysters and so on.

6. Listen to New Music- Make playlists. Give your friends mix-tapes. It’s fun and helps you discover some new jams. Also, GO TO LOCAL SHOWS AND SUPPORT LOCAL BANDS. Seriously, you have no idea how much hard work goes into the music that never gets heard. Drive out of town and check out some shows with your friends, it’s a good time. Buy some stickers too.

7. Have Some Projects- Working on creative projects and new ways of expression can really help you feel busy and important. Start a band, learn how to photograph, make your own website, start a garden, et cetera.

8. Cook- Being able to cook a wide variety of meals is one of the most useful skills a person can have, and a surprising number of people have no idea how to do it. Being at least a moderate cook allows you to have more get-togethers and house dates. Cooking impresses people, and great food is always good.

9. Meditate- Do this especially if you’re undergoing a lot of stress. Meditating can mean different things for different people. Maybe it’s the deep thought processes you have when you’re standing in the shower in the morning. Maybe it’s what you’re pondering on your drive to work. Perhaps it’s even what runs through your head while pretending to listen to your wife explain the latest episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey. If you want the real deal, find a quiet and calm environment, perhaps the same den you use for reading, and relax. Close your eyes, maintain good posture, and focus on your breathing.

Go for it, you sly dog.

10. Ask Her/Him Out- C’mon. She/He’s probably just as bored as you are right now. Call them up and ask them to go out to lunch with you. Do it right now, being nervous isn’t going to get you any closer to them. Unless it’s 4:00 AM. Never ask a person out at 4:00 AM.

11. Travel- Remember that plan for a road trip that you and your friends never brought to fruition? Well, why the heck not? Spin the globe and put your finger on it, man. Well, don’t get too literal with that. Djibouti isn’t too fun this time of year.

12. Get a Job- Get something going that keeps you abiding by a schedule. Oh, and you get that sweet, sweet cheddar. Cha-ching! Get some money to use on your summer outings. Trust me: nobody wants a friend in their group that continuously asks to borrow money. At first, your friends will be nice and lend you some cash, but don’t go out to eat with them if you know you don’t have the bills. Get cash, have fun. And, if you’re in college, try to snag a job that will allow you to work when you have vacations. They’re out there, trust me.

13. Have Adventures- Do it. Become an adventurer. Do things you were a little too afraid to do, go places you were a little too scared to visit, meet people you’ve never met. Summer is supposed to be filled with adventure, so what are you waiting for?

Get out there and alleviate the blues. Good luck!