It begins around the end of April; anticipation and excitement builds within the student body, longing for the final countdown to the 2:25 bell. ‘Summer’ is what is on everybody’s mind.

The long awaited jailbreak from school is approaching, and summer is just around the corner. You can feel the excitement walking through the halls and everyone is spending more and more time outside as the temperature starts to rise. Winter jackets are being packed up and pedicures and flip-flops are making their debut.

We all know, summer is a time for freedom and sunshine. New drivers hit the road and many people flock to the beach to soak up the sun. If you are like me, your summers tend to wither away at the end; so sit tight and take notes because this summer will sure to be one for the books!

At the beginning of each summer, energy levels are high. You do not have to wake up early to go sit in a desk for seven hours, listening to someone babble on about something you really do not give a rip about. When the middle of July rolls around lulls fill the air, and when August hits, you sit around your house bored out of your mind. A great way to keep the energy high throughout the whole summer is to plan, plan, plan! I am not talking about setting specific dates for certain things, but making sure you space out your activities accordingly.

Big events such as a vacations, concerts, or road trips should NOT be packed into one month! Spread it out! If you have three big events on your agenda, allow yourself enough time in between to sustain the exciting energy from the event, and also get totally excited for the next. By doing this you’ll have the everlasting energy to keep you charged all summer long.

Some top names artists coming to Minnesota this summer include; Taylor Swift (June 14), Naughty by Nature (June 11), or for a variety of everything check out the Vans Warped Tour 2011 on July 10. Other concert opportunities include artist performing at the State Fair: Def Leppard, Big Time Rush, Steely Dan, Toby Keith, Marc Anthony, and Maroon 5 with Train.

If you are looking to escape for a couple of days, gather up some close friends and take a road trip! Check out Chicago, Illinois for a great shopping and dining experience. On the other hand, if you are looking more on the nature side of life, check out Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. If you are feeling really adventurous head out to the coasts of California for amazing beaches, great shopping and dining and a whole new culture to indulge in.

If your family is looking to get away from the crazy mess, we call life, I would advise a family vacation-somewhere you can all relax and have a great time. Check out Big Sky, Montana for mountainous views, and nothing but fresh air. If you are looking to just simply relax, check out South Carolina and there wide varieties of beaches and activities for the whole family.

Do you ever have those days when you wake up around 9 o’clock, sit on the couch watching TV, look up at the clock only to realize that it is only 11 o’clock and you have nothing planned for the day. It happens to me quite often during the summer. This is a prime time to whip out the “what to do when I am bored list”. Put things on the list such as taking a bike ride, jumping on the trampoline, or simply enjoying the hottest new magazine outside in the beautiful sunshine. Junior Taylor Kuhn suggests getting together some friends to play Frisbee golf, “it is a great way to get outside with friends and stay active!”

Baking is also a great way to pass time in the summer. Baking cookies, cakes, and many other sweets for other people is fun and a quick way to pass those long summer days.

If you are like me and need a dose of exercise during the day, a club sport is a great way to meet new people, try something new and get your fix of exercise in for the day. Try a slow-pitch softball league, or an ultimate Frisbee team. If you are looking for something more relaxing, try a golf or rock climbing league. If you are really looking for a challenge try joining a cycling team or swim club to really, get into shape. Challenge yourself!

Look into doing something that will make you feel good about yourself. A triathlon is a great way to show off your athletic side, at the end you will be overwhelmed with the feeling of accomplishment. Check out Feed My Starving Children, many children around the world are starving and have no source or food. This non-profit organization is a great way to help other kids around the world. Volunteering at a soup kitchen, hospital, or animal shelter is a great way to get involved in the community and make a difference.

‘Summer nights’ was the most ‘Favorite Part of Summer’ when it came to interviewing the students at Eastview High School. They are a big part of what makes summer vacation so amazing. Friends come together and embrace their time off and freedom that is much deserved.

Bonfires, night games, and drive in movies are high lights of some of Eastview students past summers. Get your friends together and roast smores by the fire, or get all the neighborhood kids together for some night games like kick the can, capture the flag, ditch, or ghost in the graveyard.  Drive-in movies are a great way to end the night. You can watch one movie or three of them. Bring along a Frisbee or football to throw around before the sunsets, and some snack food for during the movie.

Embrace this summer with friends, family, good food and a lot of fun! What happens this summer, stays there.