Okay, so school’s out – what now? If you’re like me, the last day of spring semester always feels a little weird. There are so many ways you could spend your time from May to August, so how do you decide what to do?
Hopefully these tips will help you figure out how to use your summer to your advantage and reach your goals.
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Before We Get Started
Before choosing how to spend your summer in a productive way, you have to determine your goals.
- What do you want to accomplish?
- Why are you going to college?
- What are you planning to do with your degree?
There are no wrong answers here – if you are going to college for the experience, to have a good time, and to make friends, GREAT! Have a pool party summer and live your life!
If you are pursuing a degree to reach a specific career goal, the following options may be more your style. Each option listed can help you reach a certain goal, but these are not one-size-fits-all.
You can mix and match or do several at once, or you can redefine your goals halfway through the summer and switch up your plans. Your summer is yours, and you are free to spend it in the way that benefits you the most.
1
INTERNSHIPS
If you have a specific career goal in mind, this could be a great choice for you. Internships typically start accepting applications several months before summer starts, so be sure to check with your academic advisor to see what internships are available for students through your school.
There are also great internship opportunities that may not be affiliated with your college; start searching for internships in your area or in your desired career field that accept students in your year. Be sure to read the requirements as many may only accept college seniors or graduate students.
Here are some websites that allow you to search for internships in your area, or allow you to connect with people who may know of opportunities:
2
COLLEGE COURSES
If your goal is to finish your degree as quickly as possible, look into what courses your school offers during the summer semester. Many times, summer semesters include online courses which can be done from anywhere. This allows you to go home for the summer or go on vacation with your family and still be making progress on your degree.
This option is especially helpful if you are heading into your senior year but are short a couple credits. Find an elective course that sounds interesting, take if over the summer, and graduate on time!
Make sure you grab a notebook, highlighters, post-it notes, and any other supplies you might need for taking classes online!
3
STUDY ABROAD
Many colleges offer international summer programs, and the locations often vary by major or degree path. Check your school’s website or contact your academic advisor to see what your school offers.
Keep in mind that many study abroad programs require a certain GPA or may not be covered by financial aid. Make sure to read all the information before applying.
Also, don’t be discouraged if your application gets denied! Summer study abroad trips are not typically very large groups, and only a small number of applicants are accepted. If you do get denied, start planning ahead for next summer. Make a note of the application start dates and the requirements for applicants, and reach out to the individuals in charge of the program to start making connections.
4
PERSONAL GOALS
Many students like to use the summer months to pursue their personal goals. This could be accomplishing something on your bucket list, traveling to new places, joining a summer sports team, writing a book, or learning a new skill. Use the summer to reach your goals that aren’t related to college classes and studying!
5
MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY
Summer is a great time to make some extra cash. Summer jobs can be helpful for building your savings, but they can also add some substance to your resume. Start searching now for jobs that might give you a leg up in your chosen career field or that might look good to future employers after graduation.
Other options could be starting your own business. You have three months of no school that you can dedicate to building a brand, creating an online business, or designing a product. The possibilities are endless! Use your time to your advantage!
Here are a few ideas to help get you started:
- Sell your old textbooks or books you don’t want anymore. Pango Books makes selling very easy – just take a picture, scan the barcode, and make money!
- Do you love dogs? Become a dog walker!
- Are you a swimmer? Look for lifeguard opportunities at your local pool!
6
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Making meaningful connections with experts or professionals in your chosen field of study can lead to future internships, job offers, and many other professional opportunities. Look for job fairs, career expos, conferences, or conventions in your field.
You can often get a student discount to many of these events, and you will meet a wide variety of people who are all in similar positions relating to your chosen career path. You can even create simple business cards with your name, contact info, and college name to hand out to your new acquaintances!
Many professionals attend these events to find new graduates who are eager and excited to get started. Nobody will ever care about your career more than yourself, so make connections that have the potential to help you out later down the road.
7
VOLUNTEER
If you are not worried about getting a paid summer job, but your resume could benefit from some volunteer work, find somewhere related to your field that is looking for summer volunteers.
This could look like helping out at a vet clinic if you are in school to be a veterinarian, volunteering as a victim advocate if you are leaning toward a law or criminal justice route, or volunteering at a library for education majors.
There are endless volunteer opportunities out there, so there is bound to be one that will help give your resume a boost! Just keep reaching out until you find something; people are typically excited when they find out you’ll work for free!
8
TRAVEL AND CHILL
This option is for whoever just needs or wants a break from school. Go backpack across Europe, book a cruise, or just take weekend trips around your hometown! Sometimes it’s healthy to simply take a mental and physical break and focus on yourself for a few months. Find a pool and a good book, and don’t worry about college until classes start again in the fall.
