As May Intersession comes to an end, there are many students who are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Summertime is officially almost here. In honor of this much-appreciated downtime, here’s a list of some of the best ways for college students to enjoy his or her free time.
10. Get a job for fun. Yes, I understand employment is probably not many people’s idea of a good time, but why not fulfill your natural curiosity of working at a nearby snow cone stand or driving an ice cream truck while earning a few extra bucks? Please, no perverts, though.
9. Get in shape. With highs now in the 90s, there’s no excuse not to get up and get outside to devote a little time to some physical activity. From tennis to parkour, there’s always something to keep you moving. Need motivation? Make it a group event and later cool down at the pool and relish in your new beach body.
8. Volunteer. If you’re lucky enough not to have to work or not up to par with athletics, you could always devote a little free time to helping where it’s needed. There are so many opportunities for anyone to get involved, and while it may not supply you with cash, it will give you some pretty sweet references to add to your résumé.
7. Attend a music festival. What started out as an outlet for teenagers and college students to get away has now progressed to some of the biggest events of the year. By shelling out $50 to $300, you could get away for a week to go camp out with total strangers and get a front row ticket to several concerts at once. Definitely a must for anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of music.
6. Rekindle old friendships. Whether it’s your estranged roommate or someone you haven’t seen since high school graduation, take a step back from Facebook and arrange an actual meeting face to face. Go out and do what you used to together and remind yourself why you were even friends in the first place. There’s nothing more fulfilling than re-uniting with one of your bros or, for females, to take it back old school and talk on the phone for hours.
5. Organize a movie night. Gather up your nearest and dearest, pull out the popcorn and turn the lights down low. Watching movies is one of the cheapest ways to get all your friends together and still have a good time. The only time and money involved is going to Blockbuster or Family Video and deciding whether to geek out with a book-turned-film marathon or settle for classic college flicks. Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a good time. The best part? Actually watching the movie is entirely optional.
4. Go on a road trip. Even if your destination is unclear, it’s good to round up two or three of your closest friends and hit the road. Not only does it give you that much needed vacation, but it also gives you the chance to go out and have those crazy experiences you’ll be telling everyone about in the fall. I do warn you, though, that if for some reason you and your entourage end up in Vegas, please remember that tigers love pepper.
3. Don’t get a DUI. What’s summertime without knocking back a few beers at the pool or grabbing a few drinks on Campus Corner? This is all in good fun, however, there’s always someone that takes it a bit too far and chooses to drive, despite their intoxication. Lo and behold, either Norman Police or OUPD will find them and the rest of their summer will be filled with lawyers, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and court payments.
2. Grill at the pool. This is simply a no brainer for Normanites: Don’t think, just do. Meet new people in the hot tub, play water volleyball with friends and eat a hearty meal for once.
1. Act like a kid again. This one should be a no-brainer, but with all the heavy books, countless study guides and mathematic formulas, it’s easy to see how we’ve forgotten how to relax and have fun. For cheap fun, head to Andy Alligator’s or Perfect Swing in order to cannonball into the ball pit or live the dream at the batting cages. If you’re insecure about acting half your age in public, stay home and watch cartoons or show off your badass Guitar Hero skills.
There are countless other things to do in these few short months, but this list just goes to show that you shouldn’t let the fact that you’re still in Norman keep you from having the summer that would make even the owners of National Lampoon jealous.
Lauren Abram is a broadcast journalism senior.
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DylanC94 1 year, 11 months ago
Can we please have an opinion column in the opinion section? What the hell is this crap besides common sense on a stick? Couldn't we at least have Dora round 2? I don't plan on getting a DUI. Many of my friends went home or got internships this summer. Acting like number one can often lead people to doing number two. I've got a short list of one thing this writer can do this summer. 1. WRITE A REAL OPINION COLUMN!
TheTroll 1 year, 11 months ago
You need to get a life, bro.
TheJR 1 year, 11 months ago
Dylan angry. Dylan smash.
hybridman06 1 year, 11 months ago
hmm, "acting like number one..." (which is "Act like a kid again") "...can often lead people to doing number two." (which is "Grill at the pool").
That makes tons of sense, man. Chill out bro, or get your own opinion column.