A few Tip for College students on getting the most out of summer breaks

The idea of an upcoming break from studies always excites us. As we grow older, we tend to appreciate summer breaks more dedicatedly than before because we understand that they are an opportunity to unwind for some time and pick up things undone. Today, we all scramble to find time and space for ourselves to do things our way. When I say all of this, I do not mean to convey the idea that summer breaks are all about being a couch potato. No, summer breaks are ideal for a perfect blend of relaxation and productivity – and we are going to focus on the latter aspect.

Summer breaks are good for taking time off, but you mustn’t spend away the entirety of it doing nothing. You can reap a lot of benefits from your summer break which you may not be able to when the academic session is ongoing. So, today, my task is to tell you what you can do to reap those benefits. A few tips on how to maximize your output during summer breaks should be of great use to you.

1. Get on with an internship
   Most college students, and very rightly so, apply for summer internships. Through internships, you will gain a solid credential, a wealth of experience, and skills. All of these will ultimately help you in your career prospects. Moreover, internships are excellent platforms for socialization and networking, and you need them in your professional as well as personal life. However, you should note that summer breaks of most universities fall in the same period so you must apply for internships way beforehand. Make sure you have an internship in your summer schedule before the college break starts.

2. Work part-time
   I would never miss a chance to extra bucks during summer breaks. There is so much I didn’t have to do during these breaks, and that allowed me some space to invest in part-time work. Students should consider working part-time during breaks as it helps them remain financially floated afterward. Take up freelance work in areas where you are interested and earn for yourself. Note, however, that you must think carefully about whether you can manage part-time work along with internship (if any) because substandard performance is not tolerated in either.

3. Work on a hobby
   I swear we put off so many things during college years that by the time we graduate we don’t have time to get back to them. Summer breaks, therefore, can offer you the right opportunity to develop a hobby. It is not about passing time; it concerns mental health and personality development. A junior of mine at university told me that he picked up as many as 7 books on military history during summer break and had never felt so good. Join a gym, collect books, join a dance class, learn to code, and whatnot. Just do something different. Trust me the whole exercise of learning something new is highly therapeutic.

4. Go on a trip
   Okay, who says trips aren’t productive and merely recreational? Traveling is an opportunity to unwind yourself, filter your thoughts, and give yourself a fresh start to everything. Going to new places is an experience that teaches you different things in different ways. You have been grinding yourself all these months and you need to slack off. If you give some time to yourself, then you will be able to perform better. Your serotonin levels will significantly improve since self-help does that. Once you are all healthy and hearty from body and mind, you can pick up any work with greater energy and positive temperament.

5. Work on your soft skills
   Our soft skills often take a backseat during summer breaks. Our focus on hard skills makes us undermine the importance of soft skills. A few examples of soft skills include problem-solving skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills. These skills can be improved upon through myriad ways such as volunteering, joining workshops and seminars, listening to TED talks, watching YouTube videos, and others. You have some time in your hands so you might as well want to sharpen your soft skills through active participation in such activities.