French fries and the smell of the ocean air brings back fond memories of living at the beach, one of the great rites of prep passage. Not every prep spends a summer at the beach, and a few lucky preps have yet to return, ala Jimmy Buffet, but one thing is for sure, most preps wish they summered at the beach.

The ideal age to live at the beach is the summer after your freshman year of college. At this point your parents are just happy you survived freshman year, a few months at the beach with your friends can’t hurt, right?

The Digs:
A big beach house on the ocean is always preferable and great for throwing late night soirees. Wishful thinking, I know. Any beach shack will do, as long as there is a roof over your head, a bed to sleep on, and a working fridge.

Want some useful tips on decorating your beach bungalow? Here is my list of beach house essentials.

The Daily Grind:
The ultimate beach job is working the umbrella stand, followed by selling telescope photos. And finally there is waiting tables, sigh, not a beach job, but a good way to make some cash and score a few well-cooked meals.

Nightlife:
The beach bar scene is usually out of the question for young preps. The preppy social life revolves around parading the boardwalk and attending parties the cute lifeguard’s house. Not a bad way to spend the summer. With any luck, you will meet a co-ed from a nearby prep school.

With this advice in mind, you are all set for a preptastic summer! ; )