You’ve survived yet another year filled with final exams, term papers, and all-nighters. Your days of extra espresso shots, energy drinks, and late nights trapped in the library have ceased and you’ve finally earned three months of freedom.
Not so fast.
Before you get too comfortable, here are 5 things you should do this summer to make the transition back to campus in the fall as smooth and successful as possible while staying one step ahead of the competition.
Gain Industry Experience
Now that you’ve got some free time, it’s a perfect opportunity to gain industry experience through a coveted internship. Didn’t land that internship? Have no fear! Volunteering at an organization or charity in your respective field will give you an opportunity to gain valuable experience. Take this time to build experience and professional contacts that can potentially give your résumé the shine it needs.
Stay on Top of Deadlines
It’s officially summer vacation but it’s still business as usual on campus. Be sure to stay on top of any time-sensitive material and submit any necessary documents related to financial aid, scholarships, housing, and class registration deadlines to ensure a smooth start when returning to campus in the fall.
Start Saving
Sure, traveling and going out with friends is a lot of fun, but be sure to take charge of your financial situation by writing down a budget and saving. Saving during the summer will give you the financial security you need when heading back to school in the fall. It’s not a bad idea to think ahead with a post-graduation savings account that will make paying off loans in the future a little bit easier.
Polish Your Profile
With more employers turning to social media to find suitable candidates for hire, it’s important that you keep a clean and professional appearance. Clean up any negative or controversial content displayed on your social media accounts such as messages or images and be sure to maintain a clean and positive demeanor at all times, because you never know who is watching.
Take Time Off
While it’s important to stay on top of deadlines and build relative experience, it’s also important that you take time off to recharge. Experts say that student productivity increases when students take time off to reboot and recharge before heading into the new semester. Taking time off to relax will enable you to manage your energy more efficiently, in turn, enabling you to get more done in less time without the burn-out.
Need help getting that internship or finding a job this summer? We can help! Download our Go Commando App from the App Store or Google Play to get started, it’s free! All you have to do is sign up, accept a task, report back, and get paid.
