With the semester quickly coming to a close, it is time to start thinking about all the exciting things we will do with our summers. Whether that means trips to the beach, visiting family and friends, taking summer courses to get ahead (or catch up), working a lovely minimum wage job, an internship, or even beginning a fulltime job search after graduation, summer is an important time. With a new, and most likely more flexible schedule, it is very easy to get into a grove that will making coming back next fall, or starting a new job, tough.
Here are 10 ways to make that transition from summer to real life a little bit easier:
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Take a breather. When exams are finally over, don’t forget to relax. Smile, get some good sleep, and congratulate yourself on another completed semester!
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Get yourself on a regular sleep schedule. We all know how nice it is to sleep until 2 in the afternoon and stay up until we see the sun rising, but avoiding this behavior will lead to a much easier transition back in the Fall.
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Set goals! Whether they are to go for a run 3 times a week or to rewatch your favorite TV show from beginning to end, keep yourself accountable. This will make it easier to stay accountable for the work you will be doing once the break is over.
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For those of us taking summer classes, stay on top of your work. Summer classes can be a bummer, but they are a great opportunity to get ahead, or to catch up on our credits. Set a schedule for when you will do the work and stick to it. Not only will this help your GPA, but it will keep you in a great mindset for returning to a full course load in the fall.
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For those of us who will be working, make the best of it! We may not always love, or even like our jobs, but working is a great way to make the most of your summer, especially if it is not feasible during the school year. Whether you have a minimum wage position or an internship, working will allow you to save money, pay off bills, get valuable experience, and even keep you on a good sleeping schedule. So consider finding a job if you haven’t, who knows maybe you will love it, and a little extra cash wouldn’t hurt the food budget for next semester.
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Keep your brain active. We may not all be taking summer classes, but don’t let that stop you from working out your brain muscle! Read, write, do a daily sudoku or crossword, anything to keep your thinking cap on will make the work that comes along with Fall semester much easier.
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Be active. It is very easy to take every opportunity to lounge around when we finally have some time off, but that time off gives us plenty of time to get up and be active. Summertime lends itself well to days at the pool and cookouts. So drag your friends out of the house and go for a swim or play wiffleball while the burgers and hotdogs are cooking. Don’t forget that when we return to campus, we will be walking to all of our classes, being active at least a few days a week will make those treks from the Music Building to the School of Education that much easier.
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Try something new! It is very easy to get in a funk, especially with the full lives we lead during the semester, so when you get a chance, change something up. It is as easy as trying to play a sport you’ve never tried, making that healthy meal you saw on the internet somewhere, or reading about something new and interesting. Changing things up and adding a little excitement will make your summer that much more enjoyable, and might give you a new habit to carry into the next semester.
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Keep up with the news. As we grow nearer to election time it is especially important to follow the happenings within the political world, whether on a national or local level. Make it a point to read up on what’s going on in the world weekly to insure that you remain aware of the issues, and so that you can make informed decisions when it comes time to vote!
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Lastly, have fun!! Summer is a break from the hectic year we have had. No matter what you will be doing, remember to enjoy yourself and make time for at least a little bit of fun no matter how small! Make the best of your time, and carry this mindset into the next semester.
As we get closer and closer to summer, keep these in mind! You won’t regret it when you transition smoothly back into next semester!