If you are one of those lucky people who actually gets to enjoy an honest-to-goodness summer vacation, here are some ideas to help you make the most of your summer without completely shutting down your brain.

1. Sleep. No, really! Myriad studies show that establishing regular sleeping patterns of 7-8 hours each night can be enormously beneficial. This will serve you well when your brain is required to kick back into high gear come late August or early September.

2. Read. If you are planning on going to college, you might not have much time for what I like to call “non-assigned reading.” Pick up a novel or something that interests you and enjoy it. There are even several cool graphic novel adaptations of classic works like Ray Bradbury’s Farenheit 451 and Shakespeare’s plays–perfect for a summer hour in the shade or by the pool.

3. Volunteer. Summer jobs are in short supply this year, so if you want to get out of the house and do something useful, think about volunteering. It’s a great experience and it increases what you can bring to classroom discussions come fall. Incidentally, Utahns are first in the nation for volunteering!

4. Work. If you landed a summer job, keep on working and save your money! Don’t forget that the cost of attendance at a college or trade school is more than just tuition–there’s also the fees, books, a computer, transportation, and room and board. All those things have to be paid for somehow, and a summer job is a good start!

5. Explore the world. Or if you’re on a tight budget, explore your city! Traveling can give you a depth of experience that sticks with you and informs your perspectives on the world, other people, ideas, ways of living, and also shows in your work. Take off with a friend for a while and see what the planet has to offer!

6. Summer school. Summer credit hours at colleges are often slightly less expensive than fall and spring semester credits. If you don’t mind adding some structure to your summer, take a class or two and get a head start on your degree. Don’t forget to check with an academic advisor at your school; you’ll want to make sure that your credits will transfer and count for your degree.

7. Play. It is summer, after all!

Of course, if you’re headed to school (or back to school) in the fall and you haven’t already filed your FAFSA, hurry up! No matter what you end up doing, have a good summer!