The promise of summer break comes with endless possibilities. It's a chance to reinvent yourself, renew from the stresses of the school year by tossing away notes (sustainably in the recycling bin), and reintegrate with hobbies and passions that are demoted to second priority if not utterly neglected during the academic year.
For college kids, such as myself, who won't be embarking on a trip abroad or working as an intern at a dream company, being out of school doesn't have to be the end of setting goals for yourself. If you want to emulate Gordon Ramsay and become the chef of your family, practice the instrument you haven't played since 9th grade, or binge YouTube makeup gurus to finally understand the science and technique that goes into creating the perfect smokey eye, you have ample time to do so.
Without general education requirements clogging your semester preventing you from really studying your foreign language, the opportunity is wide open to perfect your grammar and accent before your semester abroad. In my book, it is never too early to start planning a trip. Consult travel blogs to find interesting locations to visit and save every Instagram post featuring foods you can't wait to try in preparation. For the highly organized, start a Google Doc to compile all the information and share it with friends who want to go on the same trip.
Something as simple as fixing your LinkedIn profile as you catch up on Queer Eye could up your professional digital presence and make your resume more available for employers. Look up professional fluff words to boost your job descriptions. Phrases like "interfaced to mobilize a team" and "spearheaded various projects" will give off the impression that you know exactly what you're doing despite having changed your major three times over the course of the semester.
Stemming partly from my bias as a Cancer, summer still manages to be my favorite season despite the intense humidity during the sweltering North Carolina summer months because I have a few months to pursue my intellectual curiosity independently. Reading Les Misérables for the 5th time—but this time in French, and watching hours upon hours of uninterrupted documentaries learning recondite facts about Versailles are both things I plan on accomplishing.
Instead of being goal-oriented, summer can also be a period to sink, absorb, and delight in the dolce far niente.
Maybe it's the freedom, the chance to rediscover pastimes, or how giant slices of watermelon taste after a day spent in the sun, summer break is a time for self-discovery.
