A College Student's Summer Wrap-Up

Going to college far away from Houston was the assumption for me since I was very young. Now that I’m a junior at Brandeis in Massachusetts, going back to school is less nerve-wracking than the first two times and more exciting, but spending the summers in Houston is always needed after months in the cold. Old friends, incredible food, and favorite hang-out spots have a way of warming you up! Regardless of how much I’m itching to get back to school by this point in the summer, the break wouldn’t feel complete without reveling in Houston’s inescapable charm one last time.

Houston classic Goode Co. Barbeque.

The food

It’s hard to remember sometimes, but we Houstonians are absolutely spoiled when it comes to food options. Obviously college students need to get in a healthy dose of Tex-Mex and barbecue before heading out of the area, but make sure to get a helping of whatever your favorite cuisine is, as many common foods in Houston may not be as easy to find elsewhere. Personally, I make sure to get Indian, Whataburger, and hot pot.

Buzz summer intern Rebecca Bloome takes her dog, Milo, to the Houston Arboretum.

The outdoors

If you’re going anywhere in the North for school, after a few weeks of bitter cold, you will be longing for the Texas heat you complained about for so long. Before I hit the books, I like to make sure I hit a couple of my favorite outdoor spots. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center has my favorite nature walk in the city with ponds, animal life, and education sprinkled throughout. Grab your water and get lost in the winding paths through the woods. I like to start on the Outer Loop Trail before wandering down whichever path catches my eye. I also like to get my last beach day on Galveston Island before I leave. I find that the pocket parks, public beaches that are further down the island and are often less crowded, are more enjoyable than the main beaches on days that are packed with others that had the same idea.

Hannah Maltbie visiting Houston Museum of Natural Science with friends before school starts.

Houston essentials with friends

If you’re a rising freshman, your next hang-out with friends in November will be filled with stories from each of your different college experiences. So it's a very important summer wrap-up activity for me to have another walk down memory lane together. These are best done at iconic H-Town spots. Hermann Park is a favorite of mine; pack a picnic and wander around the art-filled cultural hub, maybe grab a popsicle while you’re there. Another good option is CityCentre near Memorial Mall, with fun window shopping and an idyllic green space in the middle to sit. I've spent hours here with friends. Houston museums are world-class, making them another Space City exclusive place to catch up.

Buzz summer intern Rebecca Bloome (right) with mom Sara Bloome and dog Milo at a pocket park in Galveston.

 

A tour of YOU!

Create a personal family tradition: Craft a driving route with your family that includes schools, afterschool activities, and favorite restaurants that you associate with the important spots. My tour included my elementary school then the ice cream place we frequented on Fridays, each of the theatres I performed at and then the Chinese food restaurant casts would go to afterwards and so on for each important location for me. This drive down memory lane, while a tear-jerker, is nostalgic for parents and students alike.