Out of the many things I will miss about college, one of them is the opportunity to do whatever I want for four months out of the year. Here are four ways to make the most of your summer.
1. Get internship/work experience
In today’s world, a college degree and strong academic performance aren’t enough to make you a competitive candidate during the job search. Summer is the perfect opportunity to get some internship or work experience on your resume. No matter where you work, you will surely develop skills that will come in handy in the future.
2. Travel.
Without homework and exams to worry about, summer is a wonderful time to fit travel into your schedule. If you’re interning or working, you can always make travel plans around your work schedule or take time off. I subscribe to e-mails from airlines so I can stay on top of sales and get the best fares.
3. Try something new.
The stress of school and extracurricular commitments can sometimes make it challenging to try something new purely for fun, academic or otherwise. I’m teaching myself how to long board this summer and am loving the opportunity to practice a skill I have always been interested in learning. From joining a recreational sports league for a sport you have never played before, to teaching yourself a new language, to learning how to code, the options are endless.
4. Relax!
Ten weeks from now, you will be back to the hustle and bustle of life at Duke. Regardless of what you have planned for this summer, don’t forget to take the opportunity to relax—after all, that’s what summer is all about!
Lopa is a rising senior majoring in History and working in legal department management this summer.