Now is the time to start planning for summer. It may seem to soon, but if you are thinking about getting a new job, internship or volunteering, it will help to plan ahead, especially since you will be busy finishing up the spring semester.
Often, after freshman year, college students get an apartment and settle into the city where they’re attending college. Even though summer is a great time to go to the beach with friends and relax, you will also want to stay busy and productive during the summer months. This will help you in the long run.
Here are some ways to stay productive in summer:
1. Take a few classes
Meet with an adviser to find out if summer classes may benefit you. For some, it may help them graduate sooner. It also could help you have any desire to pursue a double-major before graduation. If you are looking to complete a double-major, you’ll need to take more classes. Get some of those classes out of the way. It can also help lessen the workload during the fall and winter semesters. Instead of taking 15 credits, you could take 12 credits and still be on track toward graduating within 4-5 years (depending on your major).
2. Get an internship
Advisers and professors never can stress enough how important it is to have at least one internship under your belt once you graduate. It not only gives you real-world experience, but also may lead to a full-time job at the company after graduation. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to get into the door at big company’s where it’s challenging to get in.
3. Get a good summer job
Get a summer job that will look good on a resume. Life-guarding, promotional marketing or camp leader jobs are all jobs that are great for college students because they require specific skills in leadership and communication. Most college students do not have much to list on their resume. This will give a chance to really add to it while making some money during summer.
4. Study abroad
Now is the time in your life to travel. Once you get a full time job, vacation time will be limited. Study abroad looks great on a resume and will allow you to create great memories to look back on. Plus, you will learn a lot about other cultures and countries from a study abroad experience.
It’s important to stay busy in summer to not only enjoy your time off from school, but to also be productive and get work done. Summertime is a long break so make the most of it!
