Summer is finally here! Gone are the stresses of class (for most of us), meetings and countless activities we pack into our semester schedules. Now is the time to drop everything, kick back and relax, right? Then suddenly, a week has already gone by. In the blink of an eye, a month has passed. Before you know it, your summer is over, and you look back on all those days wondering, 'what did I even do?'
Don't fall into the trap and let those valuable days go to waste! These five easy ideas will help you make the most of your fun, productive, and well-rounded summer:
1. Do something you can add to your résumé.
I know, you're probably regretting reading this list already. Summer is supposed to be a break from all that, right? Wrong. One day, we'll be forced to enter the real world where employers wonder what we did with all of that free time. So whether you have a full-time internship or just shadow someone in your field for a week, take this time to get a jump-start on bulking up your résumé so you can focus on class during the semester! You'll thank yourself in the future.
2. Learn a new skill.
We all have that one thing we wish we could do, and now we have the time to learn it! This can be as complex as learning to code or as simple as figuring out how to make a meal without a microwave. If you need some ideas, personal favorites include learning or brushing up on a new language, testing out some favorite Pinterest ideas you've always wanted to try, or attempting to relearn the instrument you haven't picked up since middle school.
3. Read a book (or ten!).
“I love to read, I just don't have any time during the school year." “I can't afford to read for fun when I have chapters to read for class." We hear/say it all the time and do nothing about it when we have the chance. Now is the time to read that book you've always wanted before you're bombarded with less interesting literature. Make yourself a reading goal and start now!
4. Make a new friend.
Fun in the sun is always great with your go-to pals, but I challenge you to go out of your way and make a new acquaintance this summer. It can be someone at a party, on vacation, or even a person you've never talked to right in your own neighborhood. You never know what might come from it! And either way, you can never have too many friends.
5. Go somewhere new.
Traveling and exploring new places is one of my favorite hobbies and something I believe is important for personal growth. If you have the opportunity to travel abroad, or even explore our own country, seize it! But don't worry if you're stuck at home all summer – going somewhere new can be as simple as stopping through a nearby town you've never been to or checking out a new museum, restaurant, or park in your own city. Stay open-minded and you never know what you'll find. Adventure is out there!
