If you’ve ever had a “free summer”, aka one without a job or an internship, it was probably while you were in high school. If that is the case…congrats! You are adulting. If you’re still binge watching Netflix day in and day out, we need to talk.

There are numerous reasons why finding something to do over the summer can be beneficial. We can start with the obvious, which is post-graduation. I know those two words are scary, but it’s a hurdle we all need to get over. A few months ago, I was able to sit in on a panel designed for students who are interested in law school. One representative said that both law schools and graduate schools don’t care what kind of job or internship you had over the summer. They just care that you did something with your time off. They don’t expect perfection, they expect initiative. For those who plan on going into the job field right after graduation, finding a job or an internship over the summer is equally important. Employers want to see that you’ve explored their field and that you’re not just a random person who saw their advertisement online. Additionally, most schools are eager to recognize your job or internship in some way. This could be through granting institutional credit or putting the experience on your academic transcript. Looking into this option is important because it’s another place that your accomplishments show up for employers, future schools, etc. Doing so also adds a layer of legitimacy to your experience.

However…adulting doesn’t always look like this. Finding a job in your field that is willing to pay for a single summer of work is competitive. Finding a non-paid internship without having to work a minimum-wage job to make ends meet is lucky. For many students, myself included, money is the top priority. It has to be when you pay for everything. Although this feels incredibly limiting, it doesn’t have to be. There are other options. For example, you can volunteer. This is an option that is overlooked by many students because it is thought to lack legitimacy or prestige. They’re doing it wrong. If you choose to volunteer at an organization, your options instantly widen because very rarely will volunteers be turned away. It might also be easier for you to find an opportunity in your field of interest. Finally, some volunteer opportunities can lead to a job. The organization might try to hire you for the following summer or they might refer you to another organization that is hiring. Making these connections is valuable.

You should also start thinking about activities outside of the job, internship, and volunteering worlds. Although your days won’t be free, you’ll have more time to do things that you actually want to do. Some options include: reading a new book (for some this might sound traumatizing after reading over 5,000+ pages during the academic year), practicing a language, learning a new skill (calligraphy, gardening, furniture restoration, anything), going on a trip, writing, sports, etc. The world of summer is your oyster. Do something with it.