Your Ultimate Summer-Before-College Bucket List

jun 18, 2023

While every summer should be enjoyed to the fullest, there's just something extra special about the last summer before entering a new era—an era like college.

If attending a university is your next major step after walking across the stage at your high school graduation, you're probably feeling a ton of different emotions during this in-between time. From excitement to anxiety, you're surely also experiencing a sense that you should be making the most of this final summer before your college career begins. Since school is officially out for you, we'll save you from doing the homework of planning your perfect summer by handing you your ultimate summer-before-college bucket list that comes pre-packed with ideas that will help you enjoy every moment of this time. No pen or paper required—just keep this list on hand whenever you need some summer inspiration.

Outdoor Summer Bucket List Ideas

Soak up the sun this last summer before college by trying out a few of the following ideas:

Throw a pool party
Watch the fireworks on the 4th of July
Have a graduation party
Go to an outdoor yoga class
Go for a hike
Perfect your hot girl walk routine
Go to a farmer's market
Sightsee around your hometown
Go flower picking (look for local farms that offer this)
Go on a beach trip
Go down a water slide
Try kayaking or canoeing
Visit a state park
Go tubing
Have a picnic in your favorite park
Go on a road trip
Spend the day at a theme park (and try riding a rollercoaster that scares you just a little)

(via Unsplash)

Also read about: 7 Common Problems Only College Freshmen Understand

Indoor Summer Bucket List Ideas

When the weather isn't so friendly (or you just need to retreat for some serious A.C.), go with some of the ideas from this list:

Visit an aquarium
Paint pottery or canvases with your friends
Go to a concert
Look through all your old yearbooks
Throw a themed sleepover with your high school besties
Bake a cake just for fun
Host an at-home dinner party
Have a game night with friends or family
Do karaoke
Shop for all your dorm room must-haves and décor
Buy some gear to show off some school spirit for your college
Find somewhere to do a photo shoot with your friends
Visit all your favorite restaurants again at least once
Work out at least two to three times a week for the whole summer
Read at least one (non-academic) book a month
Binge an entire series (bonus points if you watch it alongside your friends)
Go thrift shopping
Make a slideshow for all your favorite photos from high school

Shutterstock Friends throwing Sleepover Three girls fighting with pillows standing on bed with feathers flying everywhere. Girls enjoying pillow fight standing on bed at a sleepover.

(via Shutterstock)

Also read about: Amazing Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens

While this list just scratches the surface of all the things you can do during your final summer before college, we hope that it at least gives a jumping-off point for ways to make the most of this time. Spend the summer doing what makes you happy, and get ready to enjoy a whole new era when you start school in the fall!

And if you're a bit stressed about starting college so soon, click HERE to read about some myths about college you can stop believing.