I hate the holidays!!!!

[steff]

Hi gang! I'm just about to start my final exams. For most people that should be a cause for celebration but not for me. For I know that once that final exam is over I'll have two months of hell to get through. I hate the summer holidays so much. Hopefully, I'll be starting Uni in a few months but getting through the summer is always hell. I don't go out much and I find it hard to make new friends. Are you all looking forward to the summer? Any advice on how to makew them more enjoyable?

[moogle]

since you actually seem to like going to school (i hate anything that involves interacting with people), you might get a part time job doing something you think is fun. sometimes you can find co-workers you really like and can become friends with.

[sweetness]

Hello steff maybe you can do as moogle suggested do a job for a few weeks- and maybe you can look on the web if you cant find activities for youngsters in your neighboorhood. Maybe you can go on a trip for graduating students ? I m sure that there are a lot of possibilities for you! And if you dont like staying in the house, you shouldnt mind going out by yourself from time to time. For example if you like to go and see a movie , you can go and see it by yourself and enjoy the movie or you can stay at home and think of what you might have missed. I know that going some places alone is never fun -it s not fun for a lot of people shy or not- but why wouldnt you phone up someone from your class that lives near you to go to a sports club or the local youth center ? dont be afraid to call anyone to do somethintg together, i m sure that they will be glad to do something too. If you enjoy your summer you ll have a lot more energy to start your college. I wish you a nice summer.Take care

[spitzig]

The web can be a good place to find local things to do(if things in the yellow pages, like movies don't sound good), the larger the city you live in, the better.

Also, maybe try hanging out at places that other people hang out. I've been trying to go to bookstores a lot. I can look at books, then go get a chai and read whatever book I'm reading. I usually don't buy a book(too expensive). I just bring my book from home or the library. All my books, I get used.

These places seem to be different in different places. Sometimes, coffeeshops(although Starbucks seems to have mostly killed those kinds of coffeeshops), diners, probably others. I know local bars(not clubs) are common places to hangout. These are all places that are common social places, but also cool to read a book at, so if people aren't talking to you, just read.

[urbanspaceman]

I so felt that way about the summers not so long ago. I still find it hard to make new friends now, and I always stayed in rather than forcing myself to go out, even when friends asked me to.
I think the one thing that helped me was actually having to get a job to see me thru the summer, and afterwards, summer jobs to save up for the next year at uni. The work was rubbish, but I did meet a few people in the same boat, just finished college and gearing up for starting uni. It was nice to speak to people in the same situation, about what they were looking forward to, what they were a bit concerned about. The one thing we all had in common was wanting to get away from the town we lived in! Uni will help with that, I found, perhaps changing the way you look at people and your own life as a whole.
My summer will be pretty mundane, trying to save up to go to uni in Manchester and study for a Masters, but I really hope your summer is a good one, and if all else fails, save some money up and go for it at uni!

[inkysoftwhispers]

Helloooo. Yup, holidays can definitely be a bit of a drag sometimes...somewhat ironically. I think getting a job would be a very good idea too. Just try and get out of the house as much as possible... an don't be afraid to go places by yourself.

Enrolling on a course is quite an easy way to make new friends. There are so many different types...like massage,pottery,sports,orchestras. lots an lots.

Also I really reccomend jobwise working as a leader on a childrens camp. The one I went on you didn't get paid but there must be ones where you do. I was actually perhaps the most appalling leader ever. Absolutely rubbish. But it was sooo much fun!

And Sweetness is right -I'm sure people would be delighted to hear from you. So be brave an make the first move. May as well!

[Twice-Shy]

Alot of great information there. I 'temped' for about 4 summers in a row to take away the boredom and lonliness of looonnnggg summers. I'm sure there are a few temp agencies around where you live.

[spitzig]

Um, what's the difference between University and college? In the US, I think University would just be a specific type of college. Like a community college would be a college, but not a University.

Is your "college" what we call "high school"? We go to high school for three (usually four) years. From 13 or 14 to 17 or 18, usually.

[Mildman1]

The word college can mean either university or can be sixth form college, which you attend from 17-18 before you go to university.