No matter where summer takes you, be it home or the sunny shores of a nearby beach, here are a few tips on how to make the most of your time away.

Although you may not have had time during the school year, summer provides the perfect time to start a journal. If you aren’t a fan of expressing your feelings on paper, consider a junk journal.

A junk journal is a multifaceted activity. Throughout your summertime adventures, you can collect scraps of paper, receipts, flowers and even stickers from your iced coffees.

At the end of each day, you can create a collage of all your findings in a cute little notebook. Then, by the end of summer, you will have an abstract log of your experiences, all at a very low cost.

If junk journaling is not your thing, another hobby, such as pottery, could suit you better. Many public arts centers have low-cost options that allow people to learn how to wheel throw or build their own pottery. This may be a bit more time-consuming, but it is also a wonderful way to get ahead on your gift-making for the year — your loved ones are sure to love a handmade mug or trinket dish.

Although these activities may be fun in isolation or with a small group of friends, stargazing may be your best bet for an exciting and fun night with a bigger friend group.

All you need is some snacks, or perhaps a sunset picnic, before the stargazing begins. Then grab some cozy pillows and blankets, and you have the perfect setup for storytelling, stargazing and snacking while you admire the beauty of the world.

You may choose to stargaze in a variety of places — you could take a day trip to the mountains or the beach. Alternatively, a simple vacant field could be the perfect spot.

Whatever you decide, summer is the perfect time to let loose and have fun, making the most of your time off.