It’s officially the middle of summer, and summertime boredom is starting to creep in. Don’t waste these precious weeks by doing nothing – use these ideas to make sure your summer is as productive as it is fun.
1. Order your books
Many classes already have their required books posted on Class Search. Now is the time to rummage through Amazon or Chegg to find and buy your books (or at least save them in your cart) before things get busy in the fall.
2. Find/Make Christmas presents
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is buying your gifts early this year! By the time the snow falls and you hear All I Want For Christmas is You for the 30th time, finals will be in full swing and there won’t be much time to find or make those perfect, thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. So, why not start the search now? Pick something up during your vacation, or make something from scratch. You’ll thank yourself in December.
3. Update your résumé
Career and internship fairs start soon after move-in, so get a jump on the competition by perfecting your résumé this summer. Use the career center website for extremely helpful guidelines and tips.
4. Save up
Once school starts, there will be a-million-and-one fun things you’ll need money for (nights out, dances, concerts, spring break, etc.). Help yourself out by setting part of your paycheck aside each week for the fall, because flex points can only buy you so much.
5. Plan your breaks
Make this the year when you and your friends finally take that fall or spring break trip you’ve been dreaming of! Finding cheap plane tickets and hotels is easier when you start early, so get to work and indulge your wanderlust!
6. Organize your dorm stuff
Remember that stack of stuff in your dorm that never got used but took up space all year? It’s time to get rid of it. If you’re looking to free up some space next year, go through your stuff this summer and decide what’s worth keeping and what’s worth reorganizing. That way, when you’re swamped with three papers and a group project, you don’t have to stress about your cluttered room.
7. Create dorm décor
Dive into your creative side and make some dorm decorations! You can even invite over some friends and make a day out of it. If you’re looking for ideas, take a trip to Pinterest or check out this article.
8. Vamp up your ePortfolio
I know, ePortfolios aren’t exactly the most beloved things about ND, but they’re actually tremendously useful for networking, applying for jobs/internships/study abroad, and professors sometimes even use them as a reference when they write recommendations. So update your info, add descriptions of some of the impressive things you did last year, and feel good knowing that you won’t have to do it in the fall.
9. Review old notes
Don’t lose all of the information you worked so hard to learn last year! Refresh yourself by skimming old notes and tests, especially if you’re taking the same subject in a higher level next semester. Remember, everything you learn this summer is one less thing you have to learn this fall.
10. Shop for winter clothes
Lots of stores’ clearance racks are full of cute, cozy winter clothes, so capitalize on the price reduction and stock up for this winter. South Bend winters may take a toll on your warmth, but they don’t have to take a toll on your wallet.
11. Get in shape
They say it only takes 21 days to form a habit, so start your healthy lifestyle this summer when you have more time to focus on it. Once things get busy, it’s easy to push fitness to the back of your mind. However, if you’ve already ingrained it into your routine, it’s more likely to stick!
12. Write your ND 2015-16 bucket list
Take some time this summer to reflect on what you wish you did last year and write it down on your Notre Dame bucket list. Use it as an excuse to Skype your friends and collaborate so you don’t leave anything out.
You’ll be thanking yourself in the fall for completing this list when all your friends are swamped with work and you’re on your third hour of Netflix. Utilize your free time when you have it and you’ll be the most well-prepared Domer on campus!
The HCND application is now open! For more information contact Rebecca Rogalski at rebeccarogalski@hercampus.com or Katrina Linden at katrinalinden@hercampus.com.
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