The bittersweet end of another school year has come around. College campuses around the nation are filled with stress-crazed students frantically typing the last pages of their final papers and cramming until late at night for the last exams. Among the chaos, the daydreamers turn their thoughts to warm summer days ahead.
But for many college students, thoughts of summer can become just as stressful as finals looming in the near future. For most of us, romanticized summer days have become a thing of the past, replaced by long days working at various jobs and internships.
Many students start planning the next summer months in advance, as early as in the November and December of the year before, applying for any internship or job that could help along a chosen career path. The reality of today’s job market puts serious pressures on students to start early gathering skills and experiences that could help start them on their desired career paths.
It can be helpful to experience possible careers through internships or entry-level jobs during the summer, but it can also prevent students from receiving enough rest to return to campus in the fall refreshed and prepared for a successful school year.
Trying to make the right decision and plan the perfect summer can be stressful for many students. No one wants to end their summer stressed and unprepared to start school, but no one wants to spend the summer bored and feeling guilty for not working to prepare for a career either. So what are the benefits of each route, and how can students plan well for their own needs? At what point do summer plans become more harmful than they are beneficial?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer that will work for every student. The needs of each student are going to be different. But there are a variety of considerations that can help students decide for themselves. Some considerations include the following:
How stressful was the past school year? Logically, a more restful summer might be needed after a highly stressful year.
What are your career goals? Academics hold a variable amount of importance for different students and career paths. A student who wants to continue on to a Ph.D. program might need to return to school rested enough to focus more heavily on academics than a student who doesn’t wish to pursue any education further than a bachelor’s degree. A student who wants to work right after graduation will probably benefit more directly from summer jobs and internships.
Can you afford to take time off from working this summer? If you’re interested in an internship, it’s important to know that most are unpaid. Will you be able to finance housing and other costs while working an unpaid internship?
If you’re still stumped about your own summer plans, luckily most colleges have some form of career support for students. Try reaching out to an advisor or professor as well, as they often have helpful insights or have heard of possible internships. But if it’s not working out, don’t stress too much. That one internship won’t make or break your career, and there is much to be said for having a restful summer instead.
