Summer is the time where a student believes they have no responsibilities and no school-related things to worry about. However, this is not the case when it comes to the required summer reading that every student has to do before school starts. Depending on whether or not you take an AP or Honors English class, your reading might be heavier or require you to read harder books.  Because of this, many students choose to procrastinate on the reading until the very end of summer. I happen to fall into this category since I truly believe that summer should be carefree and I often don’t enjoy any of my summer reading books.

Here are five things to do INSTEAD of your summer reading.

1. Go on a Netflix Binge

During the school year, it’s very hard to watch new shows or catch up on ones you were already watching. Summer is the perfect time to binge on a full season of something you missed.

2.  Go to the beach with friends.

Summer offers SoCal residents some of the nicest weather in the south bay, so why not take advantage of it while also spending time with your friends? Leave the summer reading for another time. How many times during the year can you go to the beach at 12 PM on a Monday?

3. Go visit the Abalone Cove Tide pools

Located in Palos Verdes, these are seasonal; The water is too cold during the fall and winter. So you’re kind of required to visit them in the summer while putting off your reading.

4. Go see a movie

Unlike your summer reading, it’s not required and still provides some of the same excitement a book does, except it lasts at max 3 hours and doesn’t take you weeks (or months?) to finish.

5. Go to a concert

There are tons of FREE concerts in the south bay during the summer like at the Santa Monica Pier or even The Grove.  These aren’t as available or offered at all during the year so it’s perfectly reasonable to attend a concert instead of starting that dreaded summer reading.