In the days leading up to summer break we all make our own bucket lists of things to achieve. But when summer actually gets here, the bucket list becomes a lot harder to cross off.

Summer should be about relaxing, enjoying the sun and re energising for semester one next year. Here are some things all students say over the summer break, and what actually happens.

“Time To Get Summer Body Ready!” 

Ugh. I hate the summer body fad. Summer is supposed to be something we can look forward to; days at the beach and good weather for Christmas. But it’s ruined by the expectation that every woman (and man) needs to achieve a summer body before they even step foot on the beach. Stop telling yourself you need “the perfect summer body” because summer is going to take whatever body is under these damn clothes!

“I’m Going To Go On Holiday.”

Just because you have a three-month break, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be jetting off to some island like you had imagined while studying for your exams. But since travelling costs money, odds are you’ll be staying right where you are this summer. Which isn’t always a bad thing!

Instead of wishing you were somewhere else, appreciate where you are. Book a camping trip with mates or spend your days sun tanning on the beach (we live in Australia, duh!). Going on a holiday doesn’t have to mean that you have to get on a plane.

“I’m Going To Start Eating Healthy.”

The Cheetos and mac and cheese student diet has finally gotten to you, and without the stress of exams you can finally not eat like trash. But once you’ve started the habit it’s kind of hard to stop.

You start eating well for about two weeks, but then you realise Christmas is just around the corner and you can’t not eat Christmas lunch! That would just be cruel. You’ll start after Christmas… probably.

“I’m Going To Start An Awesome New Hobby.”

Now you’ve got all this free time, you’ll be able to find an activity that you actually enjoy. Beach volleyball, scrapbooking, reading a book every week. Whatever it is you love to do when you’re not studying, make sure to make some time in your holidays to get started on them. Even if it only lasts a week (guilty) do something other than Netflix. And no, day drinking is not a hobby!

“I’m Going To Save So Much Money.”

Pfft, yeah right. If I had a dollar for every time I said I’m going to start saving my money, I’d be rich (which is strangely ironic). With summer comes new swim suits, Christmas presents to buy and treating yo self after your exams obviously. Plus buying all that delicious food you tried not to eat during uni.

The start of summer is a money consumer and by the time you start saving again at the beginning of Jan, can you guess where all that money goes? That’s right, textbooks. It’s a cruel world.

“I’m Going To Get My Shit Together.”

You say to yourself over the break that you’re going to do something to advance your career. Take on an internship or brush up your resume. The thing is you’re so busy with catching up on Netflix shows and not being stressed 24/7 that you just don’t have the time or energy to care anymore. Eh, you’ll worry about it next year.

Sophie Nicolas is studying a bachelor of Arts in creative writing and is an aspiring writer, dog enthusiast and thrift shop fashion icon.

(Lead image: High School Musical 2/Disney)