SCHOOLS are closed, the summer air is fresh. For some young people, you have just finished writing CSEC examinations, pondering on what to do. For others, you may be still in school and for persons like me, you’re on a long-awaited three months break from University. If you’re reading this then you probably had the question, ‘How should I spend my time this summer?’

Going to the beach or travelling to a new country is perhaps two of the many clichés we do during the summertime. When the University closed in the beginning of June, I did some thinking and realised there’s so much more to do than just the same old routines. As such, I’ve been volunteering for the past week at a literacy programme that is hosted by the University of Guyana’s (Berbice Campus) Library. I help children at the primary school level to better understand how to read and write. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community in an unselfish, compassionate manner. Your service is free of charge but the feeling you receive; knowing you’re helping others is amazing and irreplaceable.

If volunteering is not your strong area then you can put together your own project. Gather a few friends or you can work individually and plan out what project you’d like to work on. Given with your likes and dominated subject areas in school, you can choose something that you’d like to do. If by chance you love sustaining the environment; start a tree-planting project; if you’re into Science, come with your very own hypothesis and find out the answer; if you’re an English geek like I am, you can perhaps write your very own book during the summer. The possibilities are endless.

Another great way to spend your summer time is to attend summer classes. Despite the fact that you’ve already finished your schooling, still in school or on a summer break, you should consider attending summer classes; skills training classes or subjects that are being/ will be taught in your school. There is no such thing as too much education. For those who are still in school, this will help give you a push-start in your new semester.
Summer Camps have always been my favourite. As a girl who grew up in a town, camping really opened up a love I never thought I would have for nature. Church camps, family camps or even camping with friends; I promise, all of them are just as fun. Being one with nature allowed me to master the art of peacefulness. Linden has many camp adventures for you to experience, start googling.

While all of these are fun and new ways for us to spend our free summertime, we can also spend time with the people whom we love and care for. We can rekindle shaken relationships, bond with your friends and family or even make new friends. Life becomes easier if the pillars around us are strong. Our social relationships are one of those pillars in life.

Do you have a bucket-list? I have mental interpretations of some of the things I’d like to accomplish during my lifetime, so I guess it’s safe to say I have one as well. Maybe some of the previous topics I have mentioned are already on your bucket-list or maybe you have your own unique list. Whatever the case may be, I’m sure many of us have things we want to do before we die. Given the free time you have during the summer, you can now use it to do the things you’ve always had hopes of doing. Whether it be completing a martial arts class, writing poetry, creating your own YouTube channel, making craft from online DIY videos, do it! No matter how big or small your list is, try using your free time to complete some of those activities. Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. The summer tans will fade but the memories you make will last forever, make your memories worth remembering.