There is nothing wrong with not having a job over the summer. There is something wrong with not doing anything with that spare time. Wasting some time here and there is no big deal, but playing video games and "making moves" gets more and more unacceptable as you age. Instead of doing absolutely nothing with your free time, here are some suggestions for things you can do to enjoy the summer without a job.

Volunteer.

Earning your own wings and halo by doing a little free labor will go over much better with employers than beating "Halo" on legendary difficulty. If you choose wisely, you could possibly do some work within your field that would give you valuable resume experience. Volunteering is also a wonderful opportunity to network and cultivate professional relationships. When you offer quality work to someone or an organization as a volunteer, the person involved will most likely be happy to write you a recommendation letter or serve as a reference when you need it. Even if something tangible does not come out of this experience, knowing that you are contributing to the advancement of your community should be its own reward. Never underestimate the wonderful feeling of accomplishment and purpose that can result from doing someone a favor.

Do odd jobs for extra cash.

For those who are still hesitant to work for free, there is a more wallet-friendly option. There are plenty of small jobs that can go overlooked in the chaos of daily life. Patios need painting, gutters need cleaning, pets need sitting, plants need watering, and the list continues. Fortunately for you, these are monetary opportunities. This works even better in smaller towns because the word will quickly spread that you are doing annoying chores for a small fee. These types of tasks may seem a bit juvenile, but so is not having a job. What do you have to lose?

Travel to a country you've never visited.

If your funds allow it, using free time to travel can be extremely rewarding. Employers value globally-minded people because they have been well-exposed to other cultures. Valuable travel experience is not staying in a resort and visiting tourist attractions – the experience that will stand out is one which truly educates you about the country and its culture. Proficiency in another language is also very helpful in job searches. There is no better way to become fluent in a language you are learning than to completely immerse yourself in it. With that, if you are unable to travel to another country, consider taking an online class to learn a foreign language. International travel and learning is exciting and makes for amazing stories.

Take free college courses.

You finally got a break from school, so why would you want to take more classes for no credit? A free class that you can receive a completion certificate for is pressure-free. You don't have to pass or even finish the class (although I recommend that you do). This is something to do simply for knowledge's sake. Even if you're not very scholarly, this can be a great way to get ahead for the upcoming semester. If you take a free class that is on your schedule for the upcoming semester and take it seriously, there is almost no way you can end up with a bad grade once you take it in college. There may even be a class on a topic that you have always wanted to learn more about. There are many sites that offer free courses to further expand your knowledge.