Many students’ first reaction after writing their last final is to immediately head for the bar to celebrate — or drown their sorrows. This is all fine and good, but once the hangover wears off students should take advantage of everything summer has to offer.

Students work incredibly hard during the academic year with papers, tests, assignments, projects, labs and many more extracurricular commitments. Summer allows students the time to breathe after constantly gasping for air all school year.

With an abundance of free time, it can be easy to slip into a routine of sleeping in, playing video games until the wee hours of the morning and becoming a general slob. We’ve all had those weeks where our hair went unwashed and our undies unchanged.

Of course summer calls for relaxation, but it’s important that students also use this time to accomplish something. This could be anything from learning to play an instrument, catching up on a neglected reading list or finally conquering that dreaded five-kilometer run you’ve wanted to do since New Year’s.

Whatever you didn’t have time to accomplish during the school year, now is the time.

Because we live in Saskatchewan, we spend a lot of time indoors during the many, many winter months. We detach ourselves from society, waiting desperately for the snow to melt. Saskatchewan is one of the sunniest provinces during the summer, making it the perfect time to break out of hibernation mode and spend time outdoors.

Whether it’s spending time at the beach, biking through the city or meandering by the river, make sure you squeeze on some sunscreen and bask in the sunshine.

Of course, who could forget that other quintessential experience — the summer fling.

Now I’m not suggesting that you say “adios” to your significant other to ride off into the sunset with Fabio or Emilia, but something about the summer sun really does make everyone look more appealing. Even the pasty kids look sexy with that summertime glow.

If you are committed, take this time to form new friendships. And if not, well, what you do is up to you. Just remember to play safe, kids. Seriously.

Saskatoon is a great place but when it’s hidden under blankets of snow it’s hard to appreciate everything the city has to offer. There are great restaurants, festivals, a farmers’ market and many other exciting opportunities just waiting to be discovered. The warm weather makes it easier to traverse cities and stay out late into the night — a perfect combination for exploration.

Everyone has different expectations for what summer will be, but it’s important to try and meet these expectations. Plan a summer bucket list and make it your goal to cross off everything before fall. Summer may seem like it will last forever but it won’t be long before the sunlight starts fading away and the air becomes crisper.

Make sure you fit everything you can into these four months because in Saskatchewan, winter is always just around the corner.

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Photo: Nicholas_T/Flickr