Summer is right around the corner. That means no more classes, being able to sleep in, and practically living at the beach. It all sounds so relaxing, right? Yes, it is about relaxation, but three months without school doesn’t mean that you should stop being productive. Think of it as a chance to do things that you may not have been able to dedicate enough time for during the school year. Having a productive break will make it a bit easier to get back in the swing of things for fall semester, so check out this list of 5 ways to occupy your free time during the summer!
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1. Learn a new language
If you didn’t study a second language as a child or in high school, it’s not too late. Take advantage of 3 months of no classes to focus on learning a new language. Maybe learn one that pertains to a place you’ve always wanted to travel so that you can avoid the dreaded language barrier. Programs like Rosetta Stone and Fluenz are good ways to teach yourself another language, or reach out to a friend who wouldn’t mind teaching you the basics. Plus, fluency in a second language would look great on a resume!
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2. Get ahead for your classes
Summer may be three months, but those months fly by, and before you know it you’re preparing for fall courses. If you’re the type of person to plan ahead, it wouldn’t hurt to buy your textbooks early and start taking notes. You’re probably thinking why would you want to do that since that’s not what summer is about. Well, this way you can go at your own pace. It doesn’t have to be for all your classes, choose one or two that you think would be beneficial to get a head start on. It will save you stress later, especially if you anticipate a hectic semester. Â
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3. Search for internships
Don’t wait until the last minute and take this break to research internship opportunities for fall semester or even winter break. It’s helpful to start searching in the summer because you’ll have options, and it takes time to find one that you know can work into your schedule. Job searching after graduation is no joke, so it’s important to have internships on your resume by the end of your college career. Additionally, look for internships that showcase your skills to help your resume stand out. That’s what employers want to see.
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4. Set goals
Daily, weekly or monthly goals can help you stay on track, even over the summer. Whether it’s to exercise more, read more books or learn something new, goal-setting is helpful because it gives you something to work towards and improve upon. Writing them down in a planner is also a good way to keep everything organized. Buy fun sticker sheets to decorate your planner with if you need extra motivation.
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5. Volunteer
Pay it forward and volunteer in your community! Try helping at local food pantry or animal shelters. You should remember that not everyone is as fortunate as you, so volunteering is a good way to make a difference and meet different kinds of people that you can network with in the future. You’ll improve the community and feel good about doing it while gaining new skills and experiences.