Written by Julia Yurchesyn

@juliaxemilyy

Thumbnail and Header Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash

Can you believe it is already August? It’s easy to start thinking about (or dreading) school and academics, even when there’s still a whole month before classes start.

For many students, August can be a bittersweet time; it’s the end of the summer, and this can create some anxiety heading towards the start of the academic year. This is sometimes dubbed as the ‘August Blues’, which is similar to the ‘Sunday Scaries’, which is the anxiety one can feel on Sunday before the start of a new week. Even for people who actually get excited for fall and school starting back up again, there can be a sort of melancholy with the end of summer moving into cooler weather with shorter days, wondering whether or not they’ve used their summer productively. With this in mind, taking it a day at a time and being present in each moment is essential.

While August marks the end of the summer, there’s no reason why it can’t be the ‘best’ of summer. As post-secondary students, it’s essential that we allow ourselves time to rest and have fun when we can, and August provides a few more weeks of freedom. Why not take the time to relish the warm temperature and longer days while they’re here?

Since we’re now entering the ‘back-to-school’ season, instead of writing about the typical back-to-school shopping and preparation, I decided to instead create a bucket list of summer fun for university students to do this August. Contrary to the ads you may see on your Instagram feed, you can still take the time to enjoy the summer and rest before worrying about classes.

Go to the Beach

This one is kind of obvious, but going to the beach is a must for summer activities. As it turns out, visiting the beach is also linked to health benefits. The ocean makes beaches ‘blue spaces’ (blue spaces are water sources, like a lake or pool). These blue spaces are linked to improved health. Some benefits of the beach (if you need convincing) include lowering stress levels, a change of ‘normal’ scenery, and a mood boost.

If you’ve been working all summer and haven’t yet gone, take a trip! (Bonus points if it’s during a sunset/sunrise). If you need a list of the best beaches to visit, you can check out a SMU Journal article on the topic here.

2. Take an Overnight Trip Somewhere

Kind of like a mini-vacation, take a trip somewhere and stay overnight. Could be local, or hours away. Since the school year keeps you pretty stationary, why not experience a little bit of ‘travel’?

Some ideas of where in Nova Scotia you could visit are listed below:

Lunenburg, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Ingonish in Cape Breton (where you can hike the Skyline Trail, see list item #10).
Annapolis Valley
Stay somewhere local in Halifax, and play tourist! You could visit George’s Island during your ‘trip’, on which you can find a SMU Journal article here.

3. Give yourself a day of leisure (to do whatever you want)

Whenever you have a free day, allow yourself to do whatever you want. This does not have to be stereotypically ‘summer-ish’; whether it’s staying in or going out, being productive or relaxing, allow yourself the chance to do whatever you feel like doing.

It may feel like you’re wasting time, but in actuality, having leisure time increases your productivity, improves your physical and mental health, and boosts your mood.

Ask yourself: when was the last time you have ever had a completely ‘free’ day? Was it a while ago? If yes, this bucket list item may be for you. Remember that you deserve a break too!

4. Go visit some ducks (or other animals)

Because obviously ducks = wholesome. Especially the baby ducks.

But this can also apply to other forms of wildlife and animals in general. Sometimes you just need a break from other humans, and spending time with animals is a great way to do that.

Sullivan’s Pond, Shubie Park, and the Halifax Public Garden are great hot-spots to visit some ducks. Please, just don’t feed them! Here you can find additional spots in the HRM to locate some ducks to visit.

Additionally, at Point Pleasant Park and Shubie Park there are other forms of wildlife, along with numerous different trails to trek. If ducks aren’t necessarily your go-to favourite, definitely take a look at visiting these parks.

Deviating from the duck theme, if you are a cat person like I am, a great place to visit would be the Lily Pad Cat Lounge in Dartmouth. You’re able to book a time to visit the kitties at the lounge, and you would also be supporting a business that helps cats get adopted.

5. Have a photoshoot

This can be really fun, whether by yourself (timed photos) or with some friends. There can be the pressure to take photos for ‘likes’, but having a photoshoot while not caring about how they perform online (or you don’t even intend to post them at all) can be a fun way to collect summer memories you can look back on during the dead of winter.

6. Visit a used bookstore

There’s something really calming about a bookstore, even if you’re not a ‘book person’. Plus, going to a used book-store supports a small business and recycles! So definitely put this on your August to-do list. I have listed below great places in Nova Scotia (some are my personal favourites), and you can also check out a SMU Journal article on local HRM book stores here:

Trident Booksellers and Cafe (Halifax)
John W. Doull Bookseller (Dartmouth)
Schooner Books (Halifax)
Elizabeth’s Books (Lunenburg)
Dartmouth Book Exchange (Dartmouth)
7. Go thrifting

With fast fashion being a major modern problem, contributing to both environmental crises and offenses against human rights, thrift shopping is an essential method of clothes shopping today. Instead of continuing the everlasting cycle of rapid production, consumption, and waste, thrift shopping allows clothing to be reused and reworn, providing a more sustainable and ethical means of purchasing clothing. Below are some Nova Scotia thrift stores you can visit:

Hiking is super fun, even if you’re not a ‘sporty’ or ‘outdoorsy’ person. You get to walk, admire nature, and enjoy the summer season (plus it's a fantastic method of getting your steps in). Additionally, if you have a favourite location in Nova Scotia chances are there’s probably a hiking trail nearby. You can check out this SMU Journal article for an incredible list of hiking locations in Nova Scotia.

9. Fly a kite!

Kite flying is definitely one of those activities that are enjoyed best during the summer. If this is something you always mean to go and do and just haven’t yet, this is your chance, especially since the East Coast Kite Festival 2021 is right around the corner!

Because kite flying is a technical activity, reading up on how to actually fly a kite, the needed supplies, and weather requirements might be beneficial. You can discover more information on kite flying here.

10. Declutter your Space

Not exactly a ‘fun activity’, but it can definitely be therapeutic, and well-worth the effort. Studies indicate that lots of material items can make it more difficult to focus, increase levels of stress, make it more difficult to sleep, and make us more prone to eat junk food. On the other hand, science shows that tidying up can actually help release the neurotransmitter dopamine, (which is associated with pleasure in the brain).

Since the academic year is always a hectic time, going through our spaces and decluttering what you no longer need or want is a good way to free up space and hopefully de-stress. Even though getting started can be difficult, enjoying a tidy and clear area is always worth the hassle (and occasional heartbreak) of decluttering.

Hopefully this list is helpful in inspiring you to enjoy the month of August! However you choose to spend the rest of the summer, remember to rest and look after yourself. In the meantime, happy summer living!

References

https://bucketlistjourney.net/summer-bucket-list-ideas/

https://www.theidearoom.net/summer-bucket-list-100-things-summer/

https://www.thecut.com/2017/08/august-blues-are-like-sunday-blues-but-for-a-full-month.html

https://www.bustle.com/p/what-are-the-august-blues-this-phenomenon-can-affect-you-whether-you-love-summer-you-hate-it-77198

https://www.thesmujournal.ca/lifestyle/explore-nova-scotia-this-summer-18-best-beaches-amp-hikes

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-the-beach

https://magazine.trivago.ca/weekend-getaway-halifax/

https://www.thesmujournal.ca/arts-culture/a-snails-paradise-a-journey-to-georges-island

https://medium.com/live-your-life-on-purpose/the-importance-of-making-time-for-leisure-33d6cf3788e0

https://www.lilypadcatlounge.ca/

https://www.shubenacadiecanal.ca/sullivans-pond