When a college student finishes their last exam of their spring semester, their first thought is usually that they can't wait to get home and relax. And college students absolutely deserve to relax after two long, strenuous semesters. Here's a list of reasons why doing a summer internship instead of relaxing is beneficial:

1. It's a new experience

College is all about growing, maturing and learning. Deciding to complete a summer internship will give you many opportunities to grow. You will most likely be challenged. You will have to work with people you might not necessarily get along with. A few months of an internship can change you in so many ways. You'll gain tons of knowledge and will grow during the process. If it's something you're passionate about, it could end up being truly life changing.

2. You can network

My summer internship is only six weeks, and it doesn't relate to my field of study at all. However, it's still an amazing internship and I love it. With that being said, a summer internship is a great way to expand your network. If you do your work well and you make a lasting impression on your superiors, they won't forget about it. You can use these people as references for future job opportunities or graduate schools. Even if your internship doesn't entirely relate to your field, the people you meet will write you references if you do your job to their expectations. Also, someone you meet might be connected and help you get your dream job. You never know who you'll meet. Summer internships are a great way to make new connections in the career field.

3. You'll make new friends

After a full year with your college friends, it's no secret that you need a break from them. Starting a summer internship and seeing and seeing new faces is refreshing. It's really nice to have a change of scenery and to be around different people. Spending the entire summer or part of the summer with these new people means you're pretty much forced to talk to them. Chances are, you'll make some new friends. This summer is my second year at my internship. I was so excited to go back on my first day to see everyone. And some of the people you meet at your internship might even end up becoming your best friends.

4. You might get to travel

A lot of summer internships offer the opportunity to travel. Whether it be abroad, or somewhere else in the U.S. Either way, the chance to get away from home for a week or two during an internship is awesome. Exploring a new city with new people is just exciting. For my internship, I get to go to Kansas City, Missouri for three weeks. We work over 12 hours a day, for three weeks straight, but we also have a lot of fun while we're there. Summer internships are by no means easy, but if you're lucky, they're probably a lot of fun too.

5. You'll probably make more than minimum wage

I know when people think of "interns," they think of college students who are unpaid. However, I've realized that most internships these days are paid. And most of them pay extremely well. After making minimum wage all year at my work study job, starting my summer internship is much needed. With the higher pay and overtime hours, my bank account thanks me on a daily basis.

6. You'll have great stories

Luckily enough, my internship experience provides me with dozens of hilarious and crazy stories. Your internship might not be the best thing you've ever done, but regardless, you're going to have stories to tell your friends when you return to school in the fall. They might be horror stories, but when it's over you'll look back and laugh at them. When someone asks you what you did over the summer, do you really want to say, "Uh, I watched Netflix and slept all day." Summer internships give you super interesting stories to share with everyone. You'll absolutely have a different summer break than most people.

So if you're thinking about applying for a summer internship, but you aren't sure. Or you're scared of wasting your summer away, just do it. You might not love it, but I guarantee you won't regret it. Every experience teaches us something, and summer internships are no exception to that.

(The picture for this article is the group of people I worked with last summer for my internship!)