If you are anything like me, you grew up wanting to leave your hometown. My goal throughout high school was to get good grades so I could go to college far away. When I left for Vanderbilt last fall, I remember thinking, “I never have to come back to Alabama again.”
Well, I was wrong, of course. Now it’s June, and I’ve been home for a month and half. To say that it’s been hard to be home this summer is an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, and it’s great to be home with them, but I miss Nashville.
Without going to class every day, I feel as though my goals are being held at a red light. I feel like my education has stalled and I’m stuck. I’m even starting to miss homework. More importantly, though, I’m missing my Vanderbilt friends and beautiful Nashville.
For anyone who is struggling with Vandy withdrawal like I am, I came up with a list of things to do:
1. Get a job.
You’ve probably heard those words from your parents several times (a day) since you’ve been home. But can you blame them? $60,000 a year ain’t cheap! So, pull out your computer and start the job search.
It can be hard to find a job for just a few months. Most people don’t want to train temporary help if a permanent hire is available. Look for places that need more help during the summer months: pools, movie theaters, ice cream shops, or the mall. I found a job at a restaurant whose grand opening was this summer. This is also a great option, because these employers want a lot of help to get them through the busy opening months, but won’t need as much help once the restaurant settles in.
2. Find an internship.
An internship is a great way to help grow your resume over the summer. I have friends from large cities who are doing internships or research at large tech companies, the Capitol, and big universities. If you’re from a big city, I recommend looking into some of those opportunities.
However, if you’re from a small town like me, your options can be limited. Try finding a Vanderbilt alumni and grab a coffee with them. I met a Vanderbilt grad who is currently a lawyer in my hometown, and we hit it off great. While her office isn’t taking interns, she has been introducing me to all sorts of people in the legal field and answering all of my law school-related questions.
If you’re from a small town, I recommend asking in-person if companies are taking internships. Sometimes these opportunities aren’t listed online, and sometimes employers don’t recognize there is someone who wants to intern for them. Going in-person shows you are interested and alerts the company that an intern is available, if they want one.
An internship doesn’t even have to be directly related to your major – an engineering major interning at city hall can show a diversity of knowledge and experience on your resume.
3. Hang out with friends and family.
This one probably goes without saying. You’re only home for a few months out of the school year. You should spend it with your family! Enjoy your mom’s cooking and your dad’s corny jokes. You might be embarrassed to admit it, but you know you missed them a lot during the school year.
The same goes with high school friends. You might have lost touch with some of them, but that’s okay – now you’re back within driving distance of them, so there’s no excuse to not hang out! Catch up with them over coffee, plan beach trips, or go shopping.
4. Get fit.
Summer is the best time to get fit. It’s beautiful outside and you have more free time. Set a goal for yourself, and strive to achieve it. The bigger the goal, the better. For example, I’m aiming to be able to finish a 10k. While I don’t know if I’ll be able to reach my goal, just trying is enough to change my attitude about working out.
5. Go on a road trip.
Had enough of your hometown already? Escape for a few days! Grab your family or friends and plan a fun getaway. Whether it’s at the beach, the mountains, or the city, if you’re with people you love, you’ll have a great time. While gas is expensive, road trips don’t have to be costly. Staying in cheap motels and carpooling is a good way to keep your mini-vacation within a reasonable budget.
As with most things in life, the most important thing to remember is attitude. I encourage you not to have a countdown to move-in day, like I did for a while. It will only make the time drag to see a huge number (71 days!) every day. While it’s okay to miss college, don’t let yourself mope around all day. Staying active mentally, whether it be with work or with friends, is a good way to make the summer fly by. You might even be sad to see it end.
