BY EMILIE WEINBECK, FEATURES EDITOR
As the start of summer break is rapidly approaching, many students are looking forward to some much-needed relaxation. But, as nice as it is to just relax all summer, it is also a great opportunity to maximize your time away from school and make the most of having some more freedom in your schedule.
Summer is a great time to pick up a new job if you feel like your current summer job just is not for you anymore. Many places such as pools, garden centers, summer camps and even summer school programs are always looking for help and they are a great way to meet new people and gain experience in a new field. If you are satisfied with your summer job you can always see if you can gain a promotion or try something different at work so you can gain some new skills for your resume.
Since summer break is a nice chunk of time to make some money, it is also a great time to learn how to save your money for the future or even the upcoming school year. Financial literacy is important for college students to understand so they know how to manage their money once they are out in the real world and have to juggle bills, student loans and any unforeseen expenses that come up.
When you are at home throughout the year it is easy to put off projects that you want to get done because you just want to relax and spend time with your family. But, being home all summer means no more of that excuse and it is time to roll up your sleeves and get that project done. Whether it is something as simple as reorganizing a bookshelf or something as big as repainting your room, this is the time to do it so when you come home during the school year you will feel better knowing you do not have to worry about any projects that need your attention.
Even though this next idea seems daunting, it does not have to be. Summer is a great time to research something that has always had your interest or you want to learn more about. It can be something as simple as a new workout routine or something as complex as a topic in school you want to know more about. You can even research a vacation spot for you and your friends or family to visit and cool places to eat and things to do while you are there. This way it allows you to not only learn about new things you are researching but also do things with that newfound knowledge.
No matter what your plans are for summer break, make sure you make the most of your time at home so you can walk away from summer feeling like you had a fulfilling, yet relaxing summer.
