This is your last summer before you’re out of high school - only 3 short months! What should you do with it. Here are my 5 tips to make the most of this time!

1. Make memories with friends. Take a roadtrip to the beach or lake. Keep your phone use to a minimum and only use it for making memories - take pictures and videos to mark the moment. Or better yet, schedule a fun photoshoot with me to get some one-of-a-kind portraits of you and your friends.

2. Get a job you love! Sure, it’s great to make some extra money before graduation, but don’t choose a job you really dislike or one that puts you with people you can’t stand. Try lifeguarding or a daytime babysitting gig that lets you be out enjoying the sun! Or maybe you want to learn more about a future career. Ask your parents friends if they have any summer jobs available at their office or business.

3. Read a good book! I’m not talking about summer reading. Pick a fiction that sounds interesting or a subject you’d like to know more about - like baking, gardening, or photography - and pick up a book at the library about it - yeah.. a real paper book you can leaf through and take to the beach.

4. Try something you’ve always wanted to do. Sign up for a surfing lesson or teach yourself how to play the Ukulele (via Youtube videos likeBernadette Teaches Music.)

5. Take some time to slow down. This is the best thing you can do. Enjoy what is around you. Don’t jampack your schedule full of tasks and activities. Take time to unplug and think about all you’ve done. Don’t just race through because school will get her before you know it. Write down your memories, vlog, or make a slideshow of your summer to help you remember it. You’ll never get it back… and nothing like it will come again.

Here’s to summer!