Every summer starts the same way: people say they’re going to make it count. They’ll be productive, go outside more, reconnect with friends and maybe even become a completely different person before August. Then suddenly it’s late July, everyone’s sleeping in until noon, and every Kroger has a section for back-to-school items.
But summer does matter more than people think, especially before a big transition. For high school graduates heading to college, it may be the last truly free summer before jobs, dorms, and adult responsibilities start showing up all at once. For everybody else, it’s still a chance to reset before another year of assignments, annoying phone alarms, and cafeteria food. The good news is that making summer memorable doesn’t require expensive vacations or some perfect Stand By Me style ending. Sometimes it’s just finding small things nearby that make life feel less repetitive.
Here are five things worth doing before summer ends.
Explore The Area
Most people complain that there’s “nothing to do” in the southern Indiana area, but that just means they only go to one of two places that they know after school. New Albany and the adjacent Louisville area actually have more going on during summer than people realize.
Walking the Ohio River Greenway or The Big Four Bridge at sunset is one of the few things around here that WILL make you feel like you’re watching a movie. Local parks like Bicentennial regularly host concerts, events, Shakespeare In The Park, and other outdoor activities during the summer.
Even just finding a random local place you’ve never tried before can make summer feel less repetitive. Places like Mickey’s is a perfect example of spots people hear about but never visit until someone drags them there.
Spend Time With Your Friends
Spend time with your friends before life gets busy. People always assume they’ll have unlimited time to see each other later. Then sports start again, jobs pick up, and college starts. Then suddenly entire friend groups communicate through Instagram DMs and checking on other peoples’ stories.
Summer is probably the easiest time to make memories. Late-night drives, seeing a movie, walking around downtown with nowhere specific to go, or sitting around talking for hours.
You do NOT need a huge plan. Half of the fun of summer is doing random things because nobody has homework due the next morning.
Go See A Performance
One of the easiest ways to make summer feel different is going to events you’d normally ignore. Go to a concert. Go see a movie. Or go see something more local.
If you’re into theatre, Bicentennial Park often hosts Shakespeare In The Park with As You Like It premiering next year. Then there’s also Derby Dinner Playhouse which will show Calendar Girls and The Little Mermaid this summer; As well as Clarksville Little Theatre, which will show Cabaret through early August.
Places like The Enchanted Forest Live have become popular for live music and community events as well.
Just Go Outside
After a school year of staring at Chromebooks, phones, and anything but a book, summer is one of the few times people can break out of that routine a little. Go to the pool, visit River Run Waterpark. Start writing something. Learn an instrument. Read a book that AP English didn’t force you to read. Walk somewhere without headphones on for once.
A lot of people spend summer waiting for something exciting to happen instead of creating any memorable events on their own.
Slow Down
There’s pressure now to make every second of summer “productive.” People feel like they should constantly be working, improving themselves, building resumes, or planning their futures. But sometimes the best thing you can do is just breathe for a minute.
School years move fast. High School moves even faster. One day you’re figuring out Freshman Orientation and the next, people graduate and move away. Summer is one of the few stretches of time where life slows down enough to appreciate it.
Before classes, deadlines, sports, jobs, and college applications take over again, it’s worth enjoying the freedom while it’s still here.
