To all the seniors out there, congrats on graduating. It's been one hell of a 4-6 year span for you, and it's time for you to move on in life. For the rest of us, we are still trying to figure out the next move now that spring semester has ended. Coming from experience as a now senior in college, you actually have a good amount of options, and in true Odyssey fashion, I am gonna give you five of them. And yes, some of them can be intermixed.
1. Take summer classes
This is a very common option for the people that are trying to graduate on time, and I am taking this option online for the first half of Summer. Most of you taking this route will probably only take one to two classes as a way to get you back on track for graduation. For anyone taking more than two, please get a life.
2. Get a job/internship
Yes, the classic get a temporary job in Summer so you are not dead broke in Fall - a very basic college student move. However, I suggest the internship route if you're a junior or incoming senior like myself. Good for you if you can find one that's paid, but for a good amount of them, they will probably be unpaid. On the contrary, it is a great way to get experience in your field. You can be building some great connections, and you never know what awesome hookups your internship employer might get you.
3. Study abroad
If you are lucky enough to afford this option with a scholarship, or using financial aid that won't put you in the hole for the rest of your life, study abroad can be a good route. A lot of things can be learned going abroad to a new place for a pre-determined amount of time, but if you are going this route, make sure to talk to an advisor, because as great as study abroad sounds, it can still suck for you and your wallet.
4. Moving back home
If you have nothing else productive to do on the options I have listed, moving back home is perfectly fine. However, if you are gonna move back home, try to do something productive while you're there. If you know how Summer is back in your hometowns, it can get repetitive and boring if you're not careful. The time with your family and friends back home will be a nice change of pace from normal day life though.
5. Dropping out
The ultimate "I can't take college anymore" move. If you do decide to drop out, the best of luck to you, and I hope the same success Mark Zuckerberg found will come to you as well.
No matter what option you decide to take, make sure to enjoy these Summer months and leave time for relaxation. We all need it.