Summer is here ... now what?
 

Hello Tree of Souls,

I don't know how to begin this post, and I don't have much of a way with words, so I suppose I'll just start typing and see what happens. Please accept my apologies in advance for any brain cells you may lose while reading the below. :)

My university's spring semester just finished, and final exams are finally over. (I should preface the rest of my post by expressing heartfelt sympathies for people who are still slogging through final exams or have to wait a few weeks before exams start -- I know how you feel, believe me, and I don't mean to be inconsiderate by this post.)

Now that final exams are over, I'm finding myself sitting around with no clue what to do. I spent the last two months looking forward to the end of the semester, and the last few weeks looking forward to the end of finals, but I was so busy looking forward to freedom that I didn't have any time to figure out what to do with it upon its arrival. My existence was defined by an ever-present list of upcoming homework assignments ... now it's defined by nothing at all (except PAD).

I first saw Avatar in mid-March, and this is the first significant chunk of free time I've had since. Normally I'd have been content to sit around and waste time during a break from school -- perhaps work on some computer-related project of no real significance -- but that feels meaningless now. I don't have access to transportation, so, much as I'd like to, I can't participate in any meetups or go exploring the globe. My question to you all: what can I do with my time that won't be a complete waste?

Good question... You don't have a car at all? What about your parents? Can they drive you somewhere? Or your friends?

Hmmm go on an adventure! Write a fanfic, draw a picture, pick up trash around your area... Need some more? You probably would haha I would although I can't think of anything I'm tired lol sorry

Climb a tree with binoculars like I do. :)

Have a day just for yourself. Go outside for a walk, enjoy nature, or volunteer your time to a good cause:) Some of the best things to enjoy in life are the simplest.

Being a fairly creative type, I would tend to agree with stanley on this one.

Perhaps you could start a few Avatar projects, writing, drawing, making Avatar-themed jewelry (something i'm planning to do myself :)) etc. Just whatever you want to do, go out there and do it. Now's the time while you still have the freedom.

I don't know.

I have the same dilemma. I'm REALLY uncreative, so that's not an option for me :(

Thanks for all the responses! :)

Nope, I haven't got a car. My friends are mostly from university, so they're all either at home (i.e., nowhere nearby :)), taking summer classes, or globetrotting... There is public transportation here, although it's fairly slow and unreliable -- I could go somewhere relatively close, but I'm not sure where to go. I live sort of in the middle of nowhere, so there isn't much to do in my area.

An adventure sounds just like the ticket. Any ideas? :D And don't worry about being tired... you responded after midnight, for Pete's sake!

Hm. No scalable trees in my area... I'm afraid to ask, but what exactly do you look at with those binoculars? :P

I should definitely volunteer my time -- goodness only knows I have enough of it now -- but I'm not sure to what. (That sounds like a really lame excuse, but I don't mean to sound whiny -- I just don't know of any worthwhile organizations I could volunteer at in my area.)

I agree with you and Stanley. I should try my hand at writing and drawing. I haven't had much practice with either, and I'm not really sure where to start, but it's worth a shot! :)

I should start a thread to see if anyone is interested in collaborating on Avatar-related projects over the 'Net. I remember Tudhalyas mentioning interest in working on some sort of RPG or other computer game ... most of my (limited) skills lie in the "computer stuff" category, and collaboration is a bit easier there. I've been too busy with school to keep on top of the forums until just recently -- has anyone brought up that topic?

What do you usually do during breaks from school, HNM?

I know what you're thinking. No, I'm not that kind of guy.

If the tree is big enough you can get a really nice view. Especially if it's on the coast. My dad also used to climb trees to collect bird eggs. But he's 63 now so no more of that. So yeah, just the view really.

I would say, write a fanfic while you are outside, really get inspiration from your surroundings. Also, you could learn Na'vi but that is too much like university work for me.
I'll tell you what I intend to do before my holiday; write up my fanfic; help sort out my garden; get back in contact with friends I have missed since I came to university and go to the nearest loch and go swimming and have a barbecue. I will try not to be indoors as much as physically possible, sleeping outside if it's warm enough..... maybe :P

Heya, TBW!

I agree with Helicoradian and others who suggested you volunteer your time. I volunteer by transporting rescue dogs. There have been days when I've felt my life was askew for whatever reason, and giving my time to save dogs' lives always helps put it right again.

I don't know how you feel about working with animals, but if that's not your cup of tea, perhaps you could look into volunteering for a food bank, a nursing home...I think there might even be opportunities to just read to kids at your local library. Ideally, it'd be in a location along your parents' commute every day...they could drop you off and pick you up. Or...considering this is fostering your altruism, maybe they wouldn't mind shuttling you back and forth.

In the end, when I volunteer, the time I gifted to the organization is actually a gift to myself, as I always feel better afterward.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide! :)

For boredom, I like to browse Lifehacker for some fun stuff to do.

Recently I turned hollowed out light bulbs into a moss terrarium. Looks pretty nifty.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/image...-27_194613.jpg

That's from the site. Not mine, but a good example of some cool Do-It-Yourselfs. My terrarium has been thriving for a month. I've tossed a piece of slate in there plus a piece of bonsai moss to emulate the zen feel. Try poking around the site and I'm sure you'll find ways to stave off summer boredom. Subscribe to their Green/Gardening feeds. I'm a green Earthy type of guy, and those happen to be my favorite. I'm sure you'll pick something up if that's your thing, too.

Hmm, nice, I might try that :D

This made me chuckle...I haven't written anything in about ten years or so, since college, really :P , but Avatar rekindled my creative spirit and I've been writing stories like a madwoman. My latest story started as a simple idea and ended up being 130 pages long. :D Definitely try your hand at writing or drawing...you never know where it will take you!

Writing, drawing, and other forms of art. If I had a bunch of free time I would take up wood carving and writing.

When is grade school we had to write narratives for projects and such, I was really good. The assignment could be to write about a random object that you bring in. I didn't so the teacher gave me a cutip and said write about that. My story turned out to be the longest and the best in the class that was full of action, sensory details, an actual plot, story line. If I had time I would definitely get back into writing.