Opinion Piece: What Summer Activities Can I Do to Beat the Summer Slump?

Written By: Evangeline Johnson (‘29)

The sun is shining, the air conditioner is blowing, and you have the ability to sleep in as late as you want without worrying about your alarm clock screaming at you to catch the bus. Summer is a wonderful time of year, and typically the first couple weeks are spent catching up on rest or simply soaking up some much-needed Vitamin D. However as time passes, boredom can quickly set in, and you find that you’re asking yourself: What do I want to do now? 

One great way to re-energize and spend summer is to work a volunteer job. Whether you’re trying to be involved in your local community or you are getting a head start on completing your 30 hours for National Honor Society, volunteering is a perfect way to meet some new people, gain some new experiences, and beat the summer slump. Personally, I will be spending much of my time this summer at the Lawrenceville branch of the Mercer County Library System. The thing I love about the summer reading program at the MCLS is that your hours are flexible and low-stress, allowing even busy students to have a relatively quiet and peaceful time to work on anything they want to. You could help assist younger kids and adults select books for their summer reading list, run workshops and activities, or simply get a sense of how our libraries function on a daily basis!

Another great option is to sign up and attend a summer camp of your choice. If you are adventurous and love the outdoors, you could participate in a sleepaway camp in the woods—cabins, crafts, and s’mores, the whole nine yards! There are also other camp options that cater to certain interests. If you’re athletic and want to sharpen your skills for the upcoming school year, or just want to have some fun in the sun exercising, you can sign up for local sports-focused camps. Many of these camps include the same benefits as volunteering, such as leadership and community-building, while also giving you the exposure of meeting new friends and exercising in some good summer weather! 

Above everything else, the main thing you need to remember about summer break is that it is, as the name suggests, a break. It’s important to remember that summer is a time to take it easy, reconnect, and recharge. Make sure that you are spending time with your family and friends, getting some fresh air and sunlight, and taking time to focus on yourselves. Giving yourself this break will allow you to be ready and excited for the next school year or next chapter ahead of you. The Lawrencian wishes everyone a great summer!