It’s no surprise that as finals roll around, students are stressed out of their minds. Books are being opened, papers are spread across the kitchen floor, half open computers slowly dying as the charger lies what seems to be miles away. Not only does the charger seem miles away, but so does May 23rd: the day Oak Park High School students will officially be done with tests, assignments and finals.
As students excitedly await for summer break, the weather grows warmer and the days grow a little shorter. Here’s a short list of things to do to cure your boredom during your well-deserved break.
Beach day
The beach is an obvious choice for the summer. Out of the four seasons, summer has the highest percentage of visits with 53% of people making a trip to the beach. Having a beach day means: a beach picnic, tanning with friends, surfing, sunset watching, walking by the shore among other exhilarating activities. With OPHS being so close to numerous beaches, a few popular options might include: Sycamore Cove Beach, Leo Carrillo State Beach and Sunset Beach.
Visit a farmers market
Want to bake cookies? Visit a farmers market for fresh produce and a day of fun looking around at seasonal products. Going shopping with your mom on a Sunday afternoon under the bright hospital-like lights of a grocery store starts to feel like a chore over time. Switch it up for a day under the sun with better-tasting and more nutritious fruits and vegetables. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, try the Underwood Family farms market in Moorpark or the Westlake village farmers market. Both have copious amounts of great reviews in regards to their fresh produce and lovely scenery.
Movie Marathon
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to be outside all the time. A movie marathon is good for any time of the year. Stay in with your friends and snack on your favorite foods as the bright summery sky diminishes into dark. Some great light-hearted movies to de-stress from finals might include: A Dog’s Purpose, Soul and/or The Parent Trap. If you’re looking for something that includes romance, you might watch How to Lose a Man in 10 Days, To all the boys I’ve loved before and/or LaLa Land. Horror movies are also a great option: Countdown, The Substance and/or the Platform.
Road Trip
As many sophomores, juniors and seniors find themselves at the DMV ready to get their license, a road trip is a great opportunity to test those driving skills. Roll down the windows and haul on a bucket of snacks, blast music and savour your memories of summer. Some places that you might want to visit include Century Lake, a beautiful hiking spot; Pacific Coast Highway, a place to drive and view scenery; and/or Catalina Island, a popular destination for fun activities.
DIY Spa Night
A spa day near Oak Park can cost anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars depending on where you visit. Resort spas cost even more from around 500 to 2000 dollars. It’s no surprise these lavish establishments will be sure to give you a day of relaxation and pleasure, but doing it at home with your friends could be a cheaper and more fun alternative. Bath bombs are usually around five to ten dollars. Turn the lights down low and light some candles before watching your bath bomb disintegrate into a tub of warm relaxation. Along with a nice bath, homemade face masks are also a fun way to clear skin and feel regenerated: yogurt, honey and avocado have been shown to be good for skin.
