With just under two weeks remaining until the last day of finals, summer break is quickly approaching. The increasing anticipation is clearly shown throughout the halls of Metea Valley, as students long for the end of studying and final projects, and begin to make their summer plans.
The first weeks of vacation are always relaxing; the rigid high school structure fades away, and is instead replaced by sleeping until noon, nights out with friends, concerts and festivals, athletic camps, and other activities. Many students, myself included, plan out “bucket lists,” which are essentially a list of goals for the summer, filled with adventurous activities to accomplish and exciting events to attend.
Unfortunately, many of these lists are never completed due to the apathetic summer boredom which seems almost inevitable. The redundant motto that ‘this will be the best summer ever!’ too often results in spending your break with the exact same people, doing the exact same things you did the summer before. Luckily, there are a few easy fixes for breaking this dreaded bummer summer!
We are all familiar with the popular destinations for summer day trips: North Avenue Beach in Chicago, hiking at Starved Rock, or attending sporting events, such as Chicago Cubs or White Sox games. The Skydeck Chicago, a tourist attraction that even those close to the city can enjoy, is located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower and holds breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline. Contrary to popular belief, Navy Pier is not just a boardwalk with a famous ferris wheel! Boat cruises, mini golf, movies, and plenty of dining options are just some of the things you can do at Navy Pier this summer!
Although many seem to think that the only way to create a memorable summer day is by jumping on an early train to spend the day in Chicago, there is a lot more to do closer to home than you might think. Cascade Drive-In theater in West Chicago is open seven days a week and offers a double feature offer for just ten dollars. If you want to grab some dinner and enjoy a concert, Naper Nights at Naper Settlement hosts a variety of cover bands, ranging from artists that cover musical talents such as Elton John to Pink Floyd and The Everly Brothers.
We often hear students in the hall at the end of the year saying, “Let’s totally hang this summer!” More times than not, these words hold an empty promise, but it is much easier than you think to reverse this. As a free option for finding new summer fun, consider switching up the groups of friends you see this summer and attempt to make plans with friends you would not normally see outside of school. Do not limit yourself to seeing the same people each night, you have the entire summer to do that. Simple things like going on walks or long drives with friends can turn into meaningful memories.
By Nikki Roberts