The endless summer that occurs after McGill’s gruelling exam season is a long one; free from the grips of McGill from April til September, we are given an exorbitant amount of time to lounge in the sun and forget all our adult responsibility. Whilst this time is a blessing, and lounging on a beach or in a hammock for the majority of the time sounds appealing, it can get boring, with the summer often feeling like all we’re doing is putting a drain on our parents and not actually doing anything for the good of society. However, there are countless ways to do something useful with your time, or, to enact a change in your life, or those of others. These long summer months don’t need to be a time to let your sharp mind go to waste.
WORK: Make a move towards your dream career. Whilst unpaid work can be off putting, if it’s in a field that you love, it is always a step in the right direction. Making a name for yourself by getting some solid experience on your resume will ensure that you stand out when applying for a job in a related field. Whilst many of us want to use the summer to blow off some steam, optimising your time in the workplace can be beneficial in conveying to you what you like and dislike career wise. You may be set on a career in medicine, but after an internship in a hospital you could realise it’s really not for you, and therefore it’s worth exploring other avenues before committing to something more permanent (and expensive) such as graduate school. On the other hand, taking a part time job at a local cafe or restaurant can be a great way to get the financial aspect of your mind in shape. University neglects to teach us how to manage our finances, to pay taxes and to save for the future. No matter how, you can take this into your own hands: through earning money for yourself you’ll feel more sorrow at seeing it float away when you buy that “much needed latte”. Instead, feel proud of your earnings and put some of them away in a savings account so you have more options after graduation, whether that be graduate school, travelling or a step towards a first home.
VOLUNTEER/INTERN:
Be it abroad or in your local town, volunteering or interning is always a wonderful use of your time and a way to give back a piece of what you have to others less fortunate. Many companies offer great intern schemes abroad, such as SLV global, who place students in Psychology internships in either Bali, India or Sri Lanka. This program is a great way to immerse yourself in a culture whilst also obtaining great practical knowledge for the workplace. If going abroad isn’t for you, volunteer locally. Help out in an eldery person’s home, in a hospice or a charity shop. These kinds of volunteering are often neglected by youth, who tend to ignore these overlooked populations. Whilst many of us run away from the thought of illness and the eldery, plagued by mortal fear, we must face these inevitable parts of society, and help people who really are in need far more than ourselves. Whilst it can be upsetting to see people in a more fragile state, you will feel immense joy helping these people as they are often overlooked and really need some genuine care and interaction. Furthermore, volunteering locally is so easy; go into a charity shop and ask if they need a part time volunteer. You’d be surprised how overwhelmed with joy people will be to have someone willingly give up their valuable time to help someone other than themselves. This is a great way to fill your summer, and in doing so you’ll be able to learn what there is to be grateful for in the life that you lead.
TRAVEL:
The most obvious one, but it needs saying. As the common phrase goes, travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer; this sentiment really is spoken with absolute truth. To travel is to open your eyes, to see new places and acquire a new perspective. To experience a life, lived by others with whom you have no insight into, is to truly live. To see how a life is lived by someone in an entirely different place from your own: to explore new customs, values and stories. Travel truly is a blessing, and any journey is one worth taking.
Some particular summer favourites of mine are:
Mauritius: Mauritius is a beautiful spot, located just off the coast of Africa. Whilst it is a venture a bit further afield, the stunning waters and beaches are worth the long flight. Mauritius is the definition of a paradise, with innate villas, crystal waters and the beaming sun. If you are in need of some relaxation, it is the perfect island to go to; bathed in both culture and beauty. So, take a good book to read and have some well deserved relaxation, after the Montreal winter you certainly are in need of.Portofino, Italy: Italy is so rich in culture, always brimming full with a sun soaked sky and bound to invoke a sense of sheer joy through its cheap wine, fresh food and friendly host of people. Portofino is on the more upper-scale part of Italy, but you can stay in nearby Genoa for a cheaper price, and it’s only a short train ride away from these sunkissed coastal streets. Bathe in the ocean, wander the cobbled coastal streets and take in the views of coloured houses dotted along the way.
Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona is a timeless summer favourite with bustling streets filled with laughter, music and the sounds ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from fresh eyed tourists taking in the exsquisite buildings that line Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. Barcelona has all the ingredients to fill you up with the taste of summer: fresh paella, tapas, soft sandy beaches and sips of refreshing sangria that coat your lips with a deep red hue, a kiss from Barcelona’s culture. Make sure to visit the many works of Gaudi, particularly La Sagrada Familia. If you love to dance, be sure to visit Razzmatazz, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, that essentially features 5 clubs in one huge warehouse space, each it’s own music fuelled arena.
HELP YOURSELF: Mental illness, absurdly, is still somewhat a taboo subject, with words such as depression and anxiety barely spoken about in open conversation. Luckily, encouraging the discussion of mental health has become bigger than ever, with multiple platforms and social media encouraging us to speak out about the inner worlds that reside inside our complex minds. About ¼ people will experience some form of mental illness over the course of their life, making mental illness so omnipresent in society and in our lives. Yet, to speak of it seems to be avoided at all costs, as if it were awkward, an intrusion into a conversation, such as somebody who has no right to be there. This is not at all the case, we should talk, we should accept how we are feeling, and in doing this affect some positive change to make ourselves better, and to make our feelings known. As you all well know, McGill can be incredibly strenuous and taxing, often taking an extreme toll on both our physical and mental health. This shouldn’t be the case, but the sad truth is that it is. Many of us see this as inevitable, even a normal part of university life; even if we feel symptoms of depression or anxiety, we push these lingering thoughts to the side during the semester, citing ourselves as too busy. Well, in summer, time is your friend. So, take the time to focus on your mental health, it is crucial to your overall functioning and to the happiness of your life. Talk to a therapist, a family GP, or try acupuncture. These things are so beneficial for your well-being, and there really is no shame in reaching out for help – in fact, it is admirable. Talking of acupuncture, many are dubious. In my personal experience, it worked. I had anxiety for a long time, and in finding a great acupuncturist who I could both talk to and obtain acupuncture from, I began to feel a lot better and more grounded. So, before you push this ‘natural remedy’ to the side, give it a go. It is a matter of finding out what works for you, and this really might. However, in some cases therapy is the better option. Talking to a cerified professional can really help, and not knowing the person can enable you to share things that you otherwise wouldn’t, as if talking to a diary. Talking in general is a form of catharsis, so find someone you can trust and try to open up about you. Lastly, remember to smile. Laughter really is the very best medicine.
You may have already had ideas about what your summer will involve, but, even if you do, hopefully these sentiments can resonate with you and provide some clarity on how to achieve fulfillment in a time of ambiguity. In doing something important, you can obtain clarity and structure in an ever moving lifestyle. Plus, helping others is truly a wonderful use of your time, and even if you don’t see it, the effects on others will be renowned. Most importantly though, remember to look after yourself. Summer is a time of centering and can enable you to focus on what you want out of life, and your time at university; whilst providing some much needed me-time to recuperate and put the serenity of your mind first.
Images: All authors own, except: Cycling Photo: Ryan McGuire