by Ritika Kumbharkar

Summer Blues

Its SUMMER!! We are finally on our time off unless you are doing summer school then never mind…but those of us who are home and not flying around or doing summer abroad. We tend to get a little glum and bored especially if we are going to be home for a while (range: 4 weeks to 4 months) so I wanted to share with you what I am doing this summer.

I have been home before for 2 months last summer and I died of boredom. I come back home to Oman, Middle East. I have moved my entire life around and about so I don’t have the typical life, which is having childhood friends or people to hang out with. For those of you who know what I am talking about then hello to you and stay strong haha. For those of you who are in similar circumstances in different forms like secluded areas of countries and beyond, hello to you too and stay strong!

Luckily, this summer I have quite a bit going on and won’t be as bored as I was last year. I have gone on a trip with my family to Mauritius. My best friend is coming today for 4 days to Oman. Then I have two weeks to myself to get ready for my summer abroad in India (yeah yeah doesn’t count cause I am Indian) where I will be doing classes based around gender studies and social entrepreneurship. Lastly, I will be then heading back to Boston for a Co-op for 6 months!!

However I would like to tell you what you can do in the summer if you are bored out of your mind or just need some ideas on how to waste time till it’s up for another semester! Enjoy 🙂

  1. Read books. I love reading and I am a bookworm who has been on pause for a while. Get them on your iPad or hard copies from the bookstore. If you are a little environmental conscious then go find a local public library.
  2. Learn something new. There are many online resources, which provide summer classes and sometimes for a reasonable fee can give you a certificate for completing it.
  3. Learn to cook and make food for your family! Use TASTY videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFp8uSYCjXOMnkUyb3CQ3Q)
    • Make a list of things you like to eat and ask your parents to make them for you (I have made a savory and sweet list and OMG, its the best thing ever :D)
  4. Go out with your family more. Plan something, do some research about where you live and visit cool places.
  5. Work out!! (This is a personal fave) Find a new workout and try it at home or try yoga. If you are close to a pool, go swim like a true fish/mermaid/sea creature of your liking.
  6. Watch some shows on Netflix or stream them. You can do a throwback or major throwback (old cartoon network shows). Or finally watch movies from your movie list you accumulated in spring semester.
  7. Write, Scribble, Doodle. I blog personally or write in my little beige brown journal my thoughts. It’s nice to throw around words, you might surprise yourself and find a writer in you.
  8. Dance around and sing your heart out. Have fun and have your family join you 🙂
  9. Play games. This can be board games or video games. Whatever your preference.
  10. Chat up some old friends or those who live around the world cause you didn’t have the time in the school year. Reconnect now. It’s better now than never.
  11. Do a treat yourself day. Have a Spa day at home or at a hotel near you if you are feeling a little rich!

It’s tough when you have so much time all of a sudden and you don’t know what to do. Especially for those of us who love to over think and stress, it is important that you take this one day at a time. Don’t rush yourself or force yourself, just push yourself. Keep yourself busy alone or with people around you. You need this break. Trust me. Before you know it, time will be up and it will be time to work/study again. Make plans or be spontaneous. Whatever makes you happy at the end of the day.

Indian Chameleon’s Obiter Dictum for the Day
Surprise yourself this summer

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