Alright college students (AKA real-life adults), it's time to grow up. You've had 13 summer vacations in your lifetime,13 long periods of time when your biggest concern was not getting sunburnt. I realize that college students still get a couple months off of school in the summer season, but we no longer need three months of pure vacation. We really have no excuse to stop bettering ourselves like we were in the spring.
1. Set goals for yourself.
Chances are, you have nothing super important happening after 6 p.m. at night. Read a book, go for a run, eat a healthy dinner. Just do something that will make you a better person than you were the day before.
2. Further yourself in your career.
If your career is anything like mine, this means one thing: get an internship. Even if you're younger and you can't get something at the top of the industry, get something small in your hometown. Also, call up a professional and ask if you can shadow them for a day. Not only are you getting hands-on experience, but you're also making connections that could be beneficial down the line. In addition, if you have nothing better to do, at least take a summer class or two. You'll be glad you did later.
3. Spend time with the fam.
To be honest, this may be the last time I am living in my house for an extended period of time. In regards to family time, a little goes a long way. Just spending an hour in the same room as them chatting about your day really adds up. Even though you are supposed to focus on loving yourself this summer, don't forget to love on others too.
4. If you're not ready to intern, then just get a job.
Seriously, you're an adult now. I understand that not all of us work during the school year because we are focused on class. I'm right there with you. However, productivity is key no matter where you are in life. If you're over 18 and you're not in school, it's time to be a functional member of society.
5. Take time for yourself.
Just because I said Summer was not a giant vacation anymore, it does not mean that you shouldn't take a vacation. Take a week to lay on a beach or travel somewhere historic. We all need time to unwind. It's even okay to binge on Netflix here and there. Just don't let the fun distract you from what's truly important this summer season.
