As summer truly begins, college students everywhere are plagued with thoughts of inadequacy and complacency. Summer, of course, isn’t really a break. Instead, we just replace classes with a job, an internship or even more classes. Because of this, I’m going to give a few tips on how college students can economize summer “break.”
1. Start looking for internships and jobs before the summer starts.
This will make life so much easier. Instead of frantically searching for job opportunities and missing out on money, search before the semester ends so you’ll be set when the time comes. This will also make for a more stress-free life.
2. Enjoy yourself on the weekends!
There are those people that are always quick to say, “I hate people who go out every weekend” (this is usually geared towards women). But if you’re working hard during the week, why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy yourself on weekends. Don’t listen to any of the nay-sayers on Twitter. It’s summer. Have fun and go out as much as you want.
3. Look for inexpensive ways to have fun.
You don’t have to be rich to have a fun summer. There are so many cheap things to do, you just have to look for them. Don’t break your pockets trying to force a fun summer.
4. Do not, under any circumstances, compare your summer to that of others.
Your timelines will be filled to the brim with people’s summer experiences. They’ll be traveling in different countries, interning at wonderful places or doing research at top universities. All of that is amazing, but don’t let that discourage you and make you feel bad about your summer. If you’re working hard and doing what you’re supposed to do, your time will come.
5. Stop complaining and do!
I know you’ve all encountered those people that just never seem to have a good summer. All they do is sit and complain about how boring their summer was and how great next summer will be. When next year comes around, they say the same thing. And the next year. And the next year. If you’re one of those people stop being a sayer and be a doer. The world is not going to hand you lemonade, you have to take the lemons and make your own. Make your own moves so you can prosper.
6. Be safe and be smart.
This is a simple tip but it’s so necessary. People tend to get really out of hand when the weather gets hotter. Be safe with whatever you do and wherever you go. Don't drive while intoxicated, let people know where you're going, and all of those other safety tips your mother drilled in your head. Better safe than sorry.
7. Although parties are great, you don’t have to party every weekend to have fun.
There are some great moves to be made that aren’t parties. Quite frankly, parties can also get a bit monotonous back in your local city. “Going out” isn’t synonymous with partying. Of course, if partying is your thing, this rule may not apply to you. But even the wildest of party animals may get bored with the monotony of the party scene every weekend.
8. Don’t feel bad if you don’t have an internship over the summer, but do something!
Everybody loves to push in your head you need an internship over the summer. But you don’t. However, you can’t just sit around in the house all day. You have to do some type of resume building: a job, summer classes, volunteer work. The world isn’t over if you’re not where you want to be, but use the summer to help get you to that level.
9. If you often find yourself being bored, invest your time into something constructive.
Find a hobby: read, meditate, do yoga, “make moves.” Don’t waste your life away by being bored all the time. Find something to do!
10. The summer flies by so enjoy it!
Make memories. Spend time with friends and family. We love to complain about how we miss our colleges and college living, but live in the moment. Pretty soon we’ll be back on campus craving summer once again.
