5 Ways to Liven Up Summer Term

Summer term isn’t known for a ton of on-campus activities. Here are some ways to put the “life” back in student life.

5+Ways+to+Liven+Up+Summer+Term

Nine summer credit hours necessary to graduate means about three classes held indoors and countless hours of boredom.

Summer term is not known for being bounds of on-campus fun. It’s better known for the Gilligan’s Island-esque environment – trying to survive on the practically deserted island called Florida Atlantic University where everything is so close — yet so far.

But, there’s hope. You can learn to appreciate what the island has to offer while getting the chance to venture off into civilization. Here are five no-brainer ways to help you survive your summer term:

1. Movie nights

[Max Jackson | Photo Editor]
Living Room Theaters. Max Jackson | Photo Editor

Since there are less people on campus during summer, you probably have a tight-knit go-to group of friends. Get everyone together for a movie night. Whether you hook up your laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable, chill with Netflix somewhere on campus or go to check out one of the movies at the Living Room Theaters, you can have a chill night with good company.

Check out this article for ideas of where to order in from in case you choose to stay in for your movie night.

2. Fun and games:

Delta members root on Delta Tau Delta during Greek Games that happened on Friday March 20th.
Delta members root on Delta Tau Delta during Greek Games that happened on Friday March 20, 2015. Jessica Wilkerson | Contributing Photographer

Every college student knows we’re all just really tall 10 year olds. There’s nobody around, so why not take advantage of that and act like a one? Play a game of Capture the Flag. Split up the campus – say one team gets from Innovation Village Apartments to the Sanson Life Sciences building, while the other team gets General South to Arts and Letters and all the way out to University Village Apartments.

Not for you? Challenge the Resident Assistants or other dorm floors to some sort of game – soccer, volleyball, etc.

Here you can find campus maps.

3. Explore campus:

A duck eating next to the lake near the Arts Building. [Mohammed F Emran | Web Editor]
A duck eating next to the lake near the Arts Building. Mohammed F Emran | Web Editor

Really take the time to get to know campus. Walk the second floor of the Breezeway, check out the T-Buildings or get to the Engineering East balcony gardens. We have a beautiful campus – take advantage of it.

4. The beach:

A long exposure photo of Palmetto Park Beach, about two miles away from campus.
A long exposure photo of Palmetto Park Beach, about two miles away from campus. Mohammed F Emran | Staff Photographer

This is kind of the “no, duh” thing to do. Get an Uber, call a cab, drive yourself, Zipcar, whatever. Just go out and get some sun. Isn’t that why most of us chose FAU – the proximity to the beach? The vitamin D should totally help with whatever funk summer classes may have put you in.

5. Make a night of it:

The Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery in Boca Raton, Fla. where FAU students can relax and enjoy live performances. Josh Talero | Contributing Photographer
The Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery in Boca Raton, Fla. where FAU students can relax and enjoy live performances. Josh Talero | Contributing Photographer

Get dressed up and go out with your friends. Take a trip up to Atlantic Avenue in Delray and check out the nightlife or just get some Sloan’s and pig out. Maybe splurge a little and take a trip down to Miami. Or, hit up good ol’ Night Owl.

South Florida also has its own music scene. Here are some places you might consider checking out.

Summer term may sometimes feel like exile, but you really just have to make the best of it. Be adventurous and try something different.