So, you’ve just graduated high school, congrats! It may feel like time is flying by, and before you know it, move-in day will be here. Whether you’re going to college in the same city or moving farther away, this summer is a great opportunity to check everything off your list before heading off.
There is no “right” way to spend your summer before college. It’s important that you stay true to yourself and your goal: spending time with friends, working to save money, the sky is the limit! Starting your summer with a goal or idea of your priorities is a great way to make sure you accomplish everything that you actually want to do, without feeling any external pressure.
Summer Adventure with Friends
A big part of spending your last summer in high school is spending time with friends, especially if you are all going to different colleges. There are so many ways to maximize your time with friends, from brunch to shopping to road trips. If you’re local to Cincinnati, check out our top local activities and hangouts.
For friend groups that are into crafts, getting together to make a summer bucket list could be the perfect start to your break! Whether you use Canva or good ol’ pens and paper, you can collaborate to list out all of the must-dos for your summer, ensuring you’ll never wonder what to do. By the end of summer, you can see how much you were actually able to cross off. After making a bucket list every summer, I don’t think I’ve ever fully completed one, but the thought was there!
Saving Money
Think about all the things you’ll want to spend money on beyond tuition and necessary school supplies: eating out, shopping, activities with friends, Ubers, campus events, and the list goes on. Working a part-time or full-time job over the summer is one of the smartest things you can do to save money before moving into your dorm. Check out local postings to see which seasonal jobs are open and fit your schedule. I spent almost all of my summers in high school nannying during the week, and I loved it! I still got to experience all of the typical summer activities–like going to the pool or visiting the zoo–and, of course, there was never a dull moment with the kids. Now that I spend my summers either taking classes or interning, I’m glad I was able to work those more “fun” summer jobs.
Professional Development
It’s never too early to start thinking about your professional goals! While you could be working as a camp counselor or lifeguard, maybe this could also be the summer for an internship or job shadow. My friends who were interested in the medical field participated in a surgical job shadow for a week, getting to observe surgeries and meet professionals in their field.
You could also reach out to current students at your campus to talk with them about their experience and what they’ve found helpful. Universities now offer so many classes that it’s worth looking into the options that you can take beyond just the gen eds.
Preparing for Campus
While you should absolutely take this time to be around friends and family and save money, it’s also smart to start gathering things that you’ll need for the fall. Whether you’re moving into a dorm or finding off campus housing, chances are you’ll need to buy some new essentials. Not sure what to pack? check out this list of freshman year essentials you’ll want for your dorm. You can also start to budget how much you’re aiming to spend each month of the semester. If you are living on campus with a meal plan, your monthly expenses should (hopefully) remain relatively low, but it’s still good to write out your goals for spending. Personally, I found it helpful to see at the end of the semester how much I actually spent to prepare for the spring.
Conclusion
Regardless of how you choose to spend this last summer, know that it will be what’s right for you. Enjoy and romanticize this time of transitions and flexibility in your life, and before you know it, all the chaos and excitement of August will be here!