There’s something a little bitter sweet about the end of school. Even if you’ve been counting down the days since September, you can still feel unsure when that final bell rings. You’ve probably gotten used to seeing your friends every day in class, during lunch, and at after-school activities. In the coming weeks, you may be heading in different directions for vacations, camps, and family visits. But that doesn’t mean your social life has to come to a screeching halt!
With a little bit of planning, and some creativity, you can find plenty of ways to stay social over the summer. You might even find yourself feeling more bonded with your friends, now that nobody’s dealing with the stress of the school year. So how do you go about making plans? And what are you supposed to do, now that your usual after-school activities are coming to an end? Check out these tips, and get ready to have your most social summer yet:
Compare Schedules: During the summer, making plans with friends can prove more difficult than usual. A lot of families travel this time of year. Plus, you’ll probably have to contend with camp schedules, day trips, and other summertime events. So make sure to start comparing schedules early, and find out when your free time overlaps. It might even be helpful to print out a calendar and mark off the times your friends expect to be home, and free to hang out. It’s important to keep in mind that plans can change, so you’ll need to be flexible. Still, advanced planning can be a big help during the summer!
Stay in Touch: It can be hard to pick up a friendship where you left off, especially if you’ve been out of touch for a while. Try to stay in contact with your friends, even when they’re not free to hang out. If you have permission from your parents, stay up to date using social media, snapchat, and phone calls. Sometimes, it’s fun to do things the old-fashioned way, by sending letters or postcards! Don’t stress if circumstances force you to drop off the radar for a little while. Just make sure you’re putting in some effort throughout the summer, so reconnecting will be easier when you finally get the chance!
Make Free Time Fun: Summer is the perfect time for making memories with great friends. You definitely don’t have to drop out of each other’s lives, just because your usual activities have come to an end. Make plans to meet up at the mall, play video games, throw a frisbee around the park, go for a bike ride, or have a pool day. You have plenty of options, thanks to the nice weather! Of course, agreeing on an activity can take compromise. But one of the great things about summer is that it gives you lots of time to try lots of different things. Agree on something that sounds fun, and give it a shot!
Be Open to New Friends: You should definitely make an effort to hang on to good friendships from school. But you’ll probably have a few chances to make new friends this summer. Are you going to spend a few weeks at camp? Taking an art class in town? Playing in a summer sports league? These are perfect opportunities to expand your social circle. No matter where you are, or what you’re doing, always keep an open mind to potential friends. Join conversations, look for common ground, and take some time to really get to know the people around you. A good friendship can pop up at any time, so keep your eyes open!Like every season, summer brings its own set of challenges for maintaining your social life. But it also brings many opportunities to build and strengthen friendships. So try not to stress! Enjoy the break, and remember, by putting in a little time and effort, you can keep your social life thriving, and your friendships going strong when September rolls around.
Like every season, summer brings its own set of challenges for maintaining your social life. But it also brings many opportunities to build and strengthen friendships. So try not to stress! Enjoy the break, and remember, by putting in a little time and effort, you can keep your social life thriving, and your friendships going strong when September rolls around.
