Seniors, as your time in high school slowly comes to an end, many of you have probably asked yourselves, “What am I going to do after I graduate?” Fear not, for before your adult life begins, you have the entire summer to do whatever you want. Here is a bucket list of six different ways to spend your summer.
1. Travel to Cancun
Number two on USA Today’s most popular summer travel destinations for two consecutive years, Cancun is a vibrant Mexican city known for its gorgeous blue seas and beautiful white beaches. A must-see for newcomers traveling to Cancun has to be the Chichén Itzá archeological site, which is a sacred Mayan site with over 1,000 years of history. If history’s not your thing, feel free to bask in the hot sun and brisk winds of the Playa Forum beach, a popular tourist attraction.
2. Take a walk through your local forest
“Being able to smell the fresh air and disconnect from the news and your phone—there’s nothing like it,” said American Naturalist Jason Ward. The rapid technological advancement of society throughout the twenty-first century has sparked a phenomenon, a digital deluge, among teens across the globe. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the midst of all the overwhelming amounts of information easily accessible to us on our phones, but as recent high school graduates, you must remember to enjoy the greater beauties of life, namely in mother nature.
3. Work at an Ice Cream Shop
You scream, we scream, we all scream for — ice cream? That’s right. What could be better on a hot summer day than having access to dozens of delectable ice-cream flavors? Not only do you get paid to serve some scoops, but your unlimited access to the sweet treat will be sure to make all your dreams come true this summer. In addition, working at an ice cream shop can build your work resume early and can even help you network with your future potential co-workers.
4. Take a personal finance class
Particularly for students that will be heading off to college or vocational school in the fall, the thought of financing all of that might be mind-boggling to you. Thankfully, the summer after high school is a great time to start learning all the basics of basic personal finance, saving, credit and debt, and maybe even investing are all great tools to begin your journey to financial security.
5. Learn the Ukulele
Learning the Ukulele is a fun and rewarding challenge that only requires a few hours a week. Before you know it, you will be able to play classics in no time from renowned pieces such as “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and “Let it Be” by The Beatles. Particularly for graduates who did not get the chance to learn an instrument in their younger years, learning the ukulele can be a great introduction to the wonders of making music.
6. Volunteer at your local nursing home
As full-time adults, some students will soon be overloaded with the tons of responsibilities that come with adulting. But until then, your short break before college is a great way to learn to be more compassionate and kind to the community in which you grew up. Try volunteering at your local nursing home or community center for a change.