There are about a thousand ways for a college student to spend their Summer vacation. For instance, you could travel all over the world and make everyone jealous on social media. Or you could get a job, immediately regret it, and eventually laugh at all your peers when you’re rolling in cash and we’re all broke. Many still sit at home and binge Netflix all day. Really, the possibilities are endless.

Personally, I packed my Summer full of different fun and stimulating activities. I spent a few weeks at home with family and friends, plus I’m studying abroad in London in July/August. I also have a few small-scale vacations scattered throughout. Currently, however, I’m back on campus in Williamsburg for the first Summer session.

First of all: ESM, why are you even here?

I’m taking a class called Psychopharmacology, which is an extremely interesting but very dense class that I have to take for my major and minor track. Basically, we learn about drugs (both medical and recreational). I’m also a student researcher in a neuroscience lab that works with Zebrafish, observing object recognition and the behavioral effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Both the material that I’m learning in the classroom and the work I do in the research lab are incredibly rewarding. Every morning I am excited to walk into the Integrated Science Center, because I know that I am expanding my knowledge of and gaining experience in the fields of neuroscience and psychology.

Ok ok, but what is there to do on a college campus in the Summer… let alone the ghost town that is Williamsburg, VA?

Good question. In fact, I was pretty worried about that same thing when I decided to do the Summer session in the first place. That said, I have been having a wonderful time so far because I make sure to make the most out of every day.

Summer Dorm Pics

A Typical Day

Normally the first thing I do when I wake up in the Summer is take my daily vitamins and get a cold-pressed green juice from the fridge. (If I have one, I’ll also take a ginger health shot.) Doing these two simple things ensures that no matter how busy my day is, I will be getting my daily vitamins and minerals.

Next, I’ll typically take an early morning Yoga class at the W&M Rec Center. It’s a wonderful way to kickstart the day, especially during Summer break. Although voluntarily waking myself up at 7am in the Summer requires a bit of willpower, it’s always so worth it.

Starting the day off with Yoga grounds me, strengthens the roots between my mind and body, and reminds me to stay connected to my breath throughout the day.

At 9:30am, I go to my research lab in ISC to feed the zebrafish and run the object recognition tasks. This doesn’t take very long to do, but it’s quite important to get just right.

Next, I’ll typically make a quick run back to my dorm (which is lucky right across the street from ISC) to make myself a cup of iced coffee. I pour in hand-foamed vanilla almond milk, Starbucks cold brew, and an ice cube into my mason jar and I’m good to go!

At 10:10am, I have psychopharmacology class. I sip on my iced coffee while taking notes on my laptop. I transfer the notes from class into my notebook in the evenings.

After class, I’ll typically head back to my dorm to change into an athletic outfit and walk to the Rec. My daily workout is 1 hour on the elliptical (usually about 5.5-6 miles) and whatever miscellaneous exercises (abs/squats/headstands) I feel like doing that day.

Running on the elliptical for an hour is my favorite time to binge TV shows like the Bachelorette and the Bold Type. Makes me feel less guilty :’)

Next on the agenda is, of course, to shower off all the sweat I worked up at the gym. I throw my hair into braids and apply Sun Bum cool down lotion so that I smell like coconut and bananas.

After that, what I do with my day is really up to me! When I’m hungry, I’ll grab a sandwich and some fruit from the dining hall. When I need groceries, I’ll grab a friend and drive to Target or Earth Fare. When I’m on that #grind and gotta study/read articles/transfer notes for class, I’ll go to Aromas coffee shop in CW.

On days that I have nothing to do, I’ll grab a group of friends and head to the beach — either College Creek or Jamestown Marina. Whether we’re kayaking, having a picnic, or just taking a night stroll on the sand, it’s always nice to take advantage of the sunny Summer weather.

In my other free time, I learn Elton John songs on the ukulele and read my Yoga textbooks for the Shanti Garudasana program. I also FaceTime my best friend Kelsey for at least an hour every day — we keep each other updated on every tiny detail in our very busy lives. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

On the Weekends

The thing that I most worried about when I decided to spend five weeks in Williamsburg over the Summer was the following: What will I do on the weekends? Turns out that when you have a group of great friends that are up for any adventure you throw at them, you don’t have to worry about that!

I also have a wonderful friend named Michael who kept me company during the first weekend of the Summer session. In just four short days, we ate so much food, watched a few glorious movies, and walked just about every inch of Colonial Williamsburg. He also so graciously took pictures of me for ~content~ so, thanks.

So far during my ~Summer sesh~ in Willyburg, I have learned a lot about the brain and made some really great memories.

What have you learned during your time here, ESM?

My day/Summer/life is exactly what I make of it. If you want to spend time with friends, just suggest a time and place to hang. If you want to take advantage of the nice weather and outdoor vegetation, go outside for a walk! If you want to improve something about yourself: set a goal, make a plan, take that first step, and keep yourself accountable.

The feeling of independence is absolutely unmatched. Anyone who knows me that I’m the most extraverted person in the world. Still, having the autonomy to do whatever I want with my day (even if that means never leaving my bed) is a wonderful feeling.

Summer is a wonderful time for self-improvement and setting personal goals. For example, I’ve been working on my Yogi headstand, teaching myself conversational French, and finding books to read for pleasure.

I have a feeling that Summer 2019 is going to be the best one yet… it’s already shaping up to be a remarkable journey of growth and experience!