In the summer, many spend time with friends and family. But in my experience, it’s typically the majority of time spent alone. I love the summer, time off, and a break from school. But school is my main social outlet, and when I don’t have that, I have almost nothing to do. I find things to do, but I still barely see anyone I know, no matter how hard I try. And I know this is a problem others have, so in this article, I’ll give advice on how to fill the hours when there are so few around and so little to do. Because being alone and bored for two months will drive anyone crazy, and we deserve better.

Now here’s that advice on filling the void. Personally, I play video games a lot of the time, but you already know that one, so I’ll save details on it. I also spend time reading. I know a lot of people are averse to reading, but you just need to find the right thing. People will like their own kinds of books, and when people try and make you read something, of course, you might not like it. But there are so many books out there. I guarantee some will be good to you. If you want recommendations, you can ask me. 

Here are some other options. You can watch TV. Playing some kind of sport is an option, but I’m completely unathletic, so I won’t talk. If you still want to learn in some way and aren’t schooled out. I get it, I am too. You can take an online course. I play a lot of chess at tournaments in my free time and practice on my own, so if you want to take up chess, I can be of use. It’s useful as a way to occupy time. It’s fun. If your parents want to make you to play a sport, you can offer it, and it is completely unathletic. 

Another pleasant choice is committing a few hours a day to just napping. I do whenever I have time off. I know most everyone at school is sleep-deprived, and I am too. Trust me, if you just knock out for a few extra hours a day, you’ll kill time and feel so much better. You can also utilize video games as a way to spend at least some time with those friends who are literally NEVER available to hang out with you. I also spend a lot of time trying to play the stock market. If your parents let you manage your own investments. It takes up time to keep you busy and could make you money. Who doesn’t love money? Creative writing is a lot of fun, too. But that bores a lot of people, so I get it if it does to you. But maybe you can write the great American novel, who knows? Another choice is trying to get better at cooking, not meth. When my parents got divorced, and I was at my dad’s, the food used to absolutely suck. Things have turned around since, though. So if your parents have jobs and need to make money, and are around less, then it might be beneficial to make the food less horrible yourself. But, again, that’s not much fun, so you can just refer to the lower-effort options above.

So, whether it’s reading, video games, or tragically, athleticism, there are a near infinite number of options available, no matter how depressing it is when your friends never pick up. I get lonely or bored over the summer, you do too, but you need to fight it, or else you’ll probably lose your mind.