As finals week comes to a close and the seemingly endless amounts of stress actually do come to an end, everybody on campus is getting ready for 14 weeks of some much needed rest and relaxation. Students can spend their summers in a variety of ways: studying abroad, interning in a new city, or going home, just to name a few. Another option students have is to stay in Ames over the summer. I am one of the lucky ones who get to experience the beautiful city and campus while there are significantly fewer people.
I am excited to spend my summer serving as a Cyclone Aide, welcoming new students to campus, and working part time at my on-campus job. Even between these two things, I plan on having a lot more free time over the summer to get out and explore ISU’s campus and Ames. So whether you’re working or taking a few classes over the summer, here are a few things you can do to enjoy your increased amount of free time.
Help Your Student Organizations – With many people away for the summer, most student organizations will not have regular meetings. If you’re around campus, summer is a great time to get a head start on recruiting new members. Events like Destination Iowa State and Clubfest come up very quickly at the beginning of the semester so getting organized for those during the summer can be really helpful.
Downtown Ames – The Main Street Cultural District is a great place to explore, especially when the weather is nice. It could take you the entire summer just to try out all of the restaurants and visit all of the shops. Summer is an especially great time to go downtown because there are events like The Artwalk, Firefly Country Nights, and Summer Sidewalk Sales (definitely great for any college student on a budget)
Furman Aquatic Center – Located just a short walk away from Fredericksen Court, the Furman Aquatic Center has a pool, waterslides, and even a lazy river! What better way to cool off during a hot summer day than a trip to a pool? You even get a discount when you show your student ID.
Parks and Trails – Ames Parks and Recreation manages 37 parks scatteredthroughout the city. These parks have a variety of things like Disc Golf, trails, and lakes. Ames Parks and Rec also offers a Park Passport to help you explore half of the parks and learn more about the city itself. A fun, relaxing, and educational way to enjoy some time in the sun. On and Off Campus Events – Even though a lot of people are gone, there are still several events that take place during the summer. Students still have discounted tickets to plays and musicals held in Hilton Coliseum, the Scheman Building, Stephens Auditorium, and the Fisher Theatre. Golf, softball, and track also continue into the summer and are a great way to support your Cyclones TREAT YO’ SELF – Don’t forget, it’s summer! Take some time for yourself, sleep in a little more, go for an extra run, just do you. Summer is great because you have fewer commitments than during the regular school year, make sure to take advantage of it so you can get ready for another successful semester in August!
Posted by: Jaleel Chandler