As we all know, summer is upon us, and what does that mean? It’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the hot summer sun, while wearing sunscreen of course! Give yourself a pat of the back because you made it through the 2016-2017 school year, without losing your mind, completely! Finals can be an extremely stressful time, so give your brain a break. Sleep in, go for a walk, go workout, play with your dog, take your kids to the park, go see a movie because you deserve some you time. If you are planning on taking summer classes, try to stay away from any studying or school related activity until then. Give your mind and body time to recuperate from the semester so you can get back into the school mode once classes start back up. Do not even touch a book, unless it’s a great summer read!
For those of you who are going back home, there are some things to keep in mind. Make sure you get all your necessary belongings from your dorm room, or your apartment if you’re planning on moving next year. Check every inch of your room to make sure you didn’t miss anything. If you’re packing your things away in boxes, this is extremely important so pay attention, label them! Avoid the headache of looking through every single one of your boxes by putting similar items in each box and labeling the box with the items you place in it. For example, place all your kitchen tools in one box and label it as a “kitchen.” Also, when putting away valuables that could break, wrap them with a newspaper, towel, or other soft material to keep them from breaking in transit. When packing your boxes into your car, Uhaul, or other means of transportation use some strategy! Place the lighter boxes in the back so they are easier to take out, and place the heavier boxes closer to the back so you don’t have to reach so far back to get the heavy items.
If you are driving back home, especially by yourself, always be careful and pay attention to the road. If you have to speak with someone to let them know you are on your way, call or text them before you leave so you’re not distracted while driving. Make sure you have all your belongings with you so you do not need to turn back. Carry some cash with you at all times in case of an emergency and you are not able to use a credit or debit card, and make sure you have your ID handy just in case. When you pull over for gas or any other reason, be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are stopped at a place you are not familiar with. Text a family member or friend letting them know where you are stopped in case something happens they know where you are. Never speak with someone you don’t know, and never tell them where you are going or if you are traveling alone. Try and stay in common areas where many people can see you. If ever do feel like you are in danger, contact the police.
If you are flying back home remember some form of ID is needed in order to check in for your flight. Always make sure you have that with you or else you may be stuck at the airport for a while! If you have some bags as your carry on, always have them with you. If you have any valuables that can break easily, either place them in your carry on or wrap them in newspaper to keep them from breaking. If you are afraid of flying, you may want to take some deep breaths before the plane takes off, during takeoff, and during landing. Visualize yourself in a happy place, whether it’s the beach, at a winter lodge, or laying on your couch at home, that may help to put your mind at ease. If you love listening to music, put your headphones on and lose yourself in the music, you may even end up falling asleep!
You might have friends that are also from different parts of the country, so take the time to go hang out with them before you leave for the summer. Remember, that’s two months away! Let them know you will miss them and that you will keep in touch during the whole summer. You could even plan to meet them, go visit them, or have them visit you so you can spend some time over the summer together. You may have friends that are from Silver City that you also should spend time with before you leave! Plan out a lunch, or get together so you can have time to say goodbye, and see you soon!
