1. Picnics and more picnics
Enschede has one of the best ‘casual’ parks I’ve ever been to: Het Volkspark! With its lush, green grass and ponds filled with ducks, the Volkspark is an awesome place to have a picnic. Whether it’s ice cream from Van der Poel, or a kebab from one of the shops, you can’t go wrong with the Volkspark. Go with your friends, find a nice, shaded spot near the pond, and hope the ducks come your way.
2. Finish that book you’re putting off
If ever there was a time to start something new, it was the summer. Ever since university started, I’ve gotten more and more lazy to finish the books I started weeks prior. Right now, I’m trying to finish A Song of Ice and Fire (or at least, finish what can be finished) and it’s proving to be a tougher job than expected. I’m hoping the summer breeze will blow some reading motivation my way so that I can move on and find something else to read.
3. Experiment in the kitchen
With most of my housemates leaving over the summer, I’ve got the kitchen all to myself, so it’s prime time to experiment and cook something new. The lack of judgemental noses helps, and I can safely make as many exotic dishes as I (hopefully) want. If you’re tired of eating the same chicken and rice every day, then I’d recommend you guys to do the same: it’s never a bad idea to increase your arsenal and add new plates to your cache.
4. Make a robotic arm
It’s a bit out of place in your typical summer to-do list, but I’ve recently been planning and designing the circuitry and CAD (computer-aided design) model of a 3D-printed robotic arm, powered by a microcontroller (such as an Arduino). I wanted to include what I’m studying right now for university in at least one project over the summer, and a robotic arm is as good as it gets. Also, I’m always looking for more reasons to use my 3D printer, and a short project is the perfect excuse to clear out my stock of horrible-looking brown filaments and get a new colour.
5. Go on a trip
No summer is complete without at least a little getaway, so I always make it a point to go on at least one trip during the summer where I just deflate, relax and take full advantage of the free time I’ve given myself. Make use of the nice weather that the summer will grant us, so go to the beach or on a hike – do something other than sit inside and doomscroll, you know? Note that this is mostly me talking to myself.
6. Learn something new
The summer is the perfect time to learn something new, so might as well, right? It can be anything from starting a new course on Duolingo or picking up an instrument to learning how to crochet or do pottery. Personally, I want to tackle a new song on the guitar, and since I have no excuses left to delay practising, there’s really no reason why not to get back into shredding.
7. Go to 3 museums
It doesn’t have to be 3. It can be more, or it can be less. I just know that I have to go to more museums during the summer, since many of them are lowering their prices for the summer discounts and it would be a waste not to go to one. Plus, museums are fun – you get to look at ancient, priceless artefacts and geek out about them with some friends (or alone!).
8. Watch a movie outdoors
This was also on my previous year’s bucket list, and I have no idea why I haven’t done it yet. It’s such an easy thing to do, too – wait for the perfect night, set up some blankets for the screen and fire up the projector. I honestly have no excuse for why I haven’t done this yet, but I do know that I (hopefully) will this summer: it’s time for a new entry on the bucket list.
9. Watch the sunrise
I often already watch the sunrise during the school year (*cough*, all-nighters, *cough*), but there’s something different about sitting down on the grass or the beach and having a talk about life as you watch the sunrise despite it all. There’s a quiet, certain comfort about it – I can’t quite explain it, but I do know that the sunrise elevates all deep conversations to another level.
10. Make art
Much like reading, my art portfolio was severely lacking during the school year. I’m hoping I can get more into crayon art, which I previously thought was the same as any other art, but after trying it once I can’t wait to try it again. The summer’s perfect for this: maybe have a drawing competition with your friends, or grab someone and draw their likeness while they do the same to you, and trade papers once you’re finished. There are countless ways of including your friends in your hobbies, and art is one of the very best methods.
