As summer approaches and the labors of school start to disappear people look for new things to fill their time – hopefully.

“I’m just going to be working on campus. I’m taking summer classes, six hours, and that’s about it,” said Eric Zelkovitz, sophomore elementary education major.

For many, this is reality of the so-called summer break.

“Last year was a lot more exciting for me,” said Jennifer Paulsen, junior engineering major. “I worked at a camp helping kids in New York, but I really couldn’t afford to this year so I’ll be here.”

However, others have found more out-of-the-ordinary plans.

For junior nursing major Jenna Willis those plans include skydiving in Osage City.

“I’m so scared of heights and I’m very nervous, but I’m excited,” said Willis. “I’ve never been before.”

For those looking to bring this kind of rush, the Web site www.skydivekansas.com offers the information for the Osage City skykdiving site complete with a pricing guide and available discounts so you can figure your total cost at the click of a mouse.

Others have such extensive summer plans that the rest of us can only sigh in jealousy.

“I’m going to China with the Washburn band and then I’m working at a Christian camp for teenagers called Young Life,” said Paige Lockard, freshman mass media major. “Also, my grandparents rented a private island off Florida for their anniversary so I’ll be there with my family and cousins that I hardly ever get to see.”

While there are few inexpensive ways to mimic this kind of summer, there are many way to travel and keep a budget. For AAA auto insurance members, this is as simple as going into the Wanamaker office, grabbing a few travel books or speaking to a travel agent. With a number of discounts all over the United States, a short road trip can be afforded by most.

For non-AAA members, a quick trip on the Internet and a search engine can drum up most of the same information. Even if you’re not going out of the country or even leaving Kansas for very long, at least you’ll feel like your doing something.

Still, even staying here in town can have its perks. For some, this may be their first summer on their own without parents.

“I’m gonna start off by maintaining my first job. Then lifting with my team and working so that by August I’ll be bigger, stronger, faster and a starter on Washburn’s defense,” said Ray Trice, freshman communication broadcast major.

Other things to fill the long summer days of those stuck working, taking classes or just stuck in Topeka are available, even if its not as exciting as the plans of some of the other students.

The theaters, the skating rink, concerts in Lawrence, Topeka and Manhattan are always at your disposal.

Although not necessarily new and exciting, these things can still be fun.