While summertime is void of school, it is not void of learning.

During summer you learn:

1. You love something new

Summers can be occupied with an internship or laborious job that you haven’t tried before. Or, maybe the kids you nanny, a sport you tried, the volunteer hours you put in, have changed your perspective. When you have more time to try new things, you may just find that you love something new. Follow that passion.

2. Who really matters

Everyone says “we have to hang out this summer”, but realistically we find ourselves reaching out to people who don’t reciprocate. Or, we find the ones we do really keep in touch with also hold us in the same regard. The acquaintances are stripped away, and you learn who’s time you are valued enough to occupy.

3. The importance of balance

During the school year, students can get so caught up in wanting to be involved in various activities, sports, social groups, keeping a cash flow, and grades up… we forget what it is like to have a balance, and how important it is. Summer may include a job or a summer class, but it also includes down time and fun activities. It can rejuvenate you, and remind you the balance you need going into the new school year.

4. You were going the wrong way

Sometimes, once we are out of the whirlwind of finals, we find that now that things have died down, we weren’t headed in the right direction. Whether it be in a relationship, a study habit, a social commitment. Maybe you were dead set on making it through this course so that you could get into the upper division of that subject… but maybe you truly disliked it, and you shouldn’t be pursuing that path anyway. It may not be meant for you.

As bonfires, beach days, and barbeques all come to an end, the things you learned over the summer can really come into focus. Realize what you really want, who really matters, and what direction you want your life to be taking.