In the now-infamous words of Alice Cooper, school’s out for summer! Summers in Berkeley present a unique opportunity for students and community members alike to embrace the slightly warmer (and slightly quieter) neighborhood.

It might mean finally having a time to kick back, enjoy the sun and play a game of frisbee on Memorial Glade, or it might mean binge watching a show on Netflix in the comfort of the new apartment you just moved into.

For the academically inclined, just because school is out doesn’t mean class — and learning — is over. Summer Sessions allow for a whole new set of experiences, with smaller classrooms, shorter course lengths and the perpetual thought of the beach lingering in the back of your mind.

Maybe you’re wondering which of the plethora of summer classes to take. Or maybe you’re living in a fraternity house and worried you’re not spending enough time with family. Perhaps the warm weather has given you the summertime blues and you simply cannot get out of the house. But is that necessarily a bad thing?

We hope you find some summertime solace in this special issue. Grab a scoop of your favorite ice cream, slather on sunscreen and turn the page.