Cervantes

Hi! So it seems like I may not be able to do what I wanted to do for a portion of this summer, so I'd like some ideas of what would be enriching/enlightening to do over the summer before college. So far this summer I've been pretty bored, although chilling and doing nothing is pretty nice. I've personally been thinking about teaching myself multivariable calc because I really love math and will need to know it for college later but I ruled out a job/volunteer work. However, I'd prefer to read some very interesting and thought provoking books, especially books about politics or fiction books. If you have any suggestions of what to read I'd really like to hear them. Also, for you gamers out there are there any easily (read:free) downloadable games that are very fun or addicting? I really like Starcraft but would also like to play some new games! Lastly, if there are any other activities I haven't already thought of, which I'm sure there is, can you suggest them? As you can probably already tell, I really don't care how it looks on a job application or anything, I just want to do something interesting basically. Thank you!!

burgler09

The fact that you consider playing video games something enriching and that you ruled out volunteering makes me somewhat wary. I think I'll step aside and let the others answer this one, because chances are you won't like what i suggest :P

leah377

learn your limits before you get there..

srunni

* Rethink getting a job—it looks good on your resume and you get some money as well.
* Salivate over StarCraft II
* I don't know of any free games that are that great, but as StarCraft's not free, I'm guessing your open to non-free suggestions too. Try Unreal Tournament (2004 or 3) if you like FPS's, Warcraft 3 or Age of Empires if you like RTS's, or World of Warcraft if you like MMORPGS. Well, maybe not WoW as you might get addicted ;/

* I don't know what genres of fiction you like, but if you're into fantasy, the Sword of Truth series (Terry Goodkind) is a great place to start.
* If you like cyberpunk (e.g. The Matrix) or are just looking for something different, Neuromancer (William Gibson) is fantastic book.
* If you're looking for something about politics, try The Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith). I'm a little biased there though

rightnotleft

Go Outside.

reversepsych

Spend time with your friends, especially those you wont see as often after going to college.

Maybe roadtrip or something-though fuel costs may rule that out.

For reading: Search "High School Life" for a thread called something like 'amazing books to read over summer', a lot of goo suggestions.

gprime

In the book department, I suggest choosing a category, however broadly you wish to define that, and select a set of core works to go over. For example, if your wanted to learn more about "classical liberalism" you could read:

The Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith
Free to Choose - Milton and Rose Friedman
Man, Economy, and State - Murray N. Rothbard
Cato's Letters - (ed.) Ronald Hamowy
Second Treatise of Government - John Locke
The Man Versus the State - Herbert Spencer
Sex and Reason - Richard Posner
The Challenge of Liberty - Robert Higgs

I think you get my drift.

danny_125

see the sun for the first time in your life.

kingofqueens

Travel, party, and just have fun. Do not do anything remotely academic related.

War Chant

Hang out with your friends before you never see them again.

Cervantes

Thanks for the advice, these sound like great suggestions!