Welcome to our special section, Thrive on Campus, devoted to covering the urgent issue of mental health among college and university students from all angles. If you are a college student, we invite you to apply to be an Editor-at-Large, or to simply contribute (please tag your pieces ThriveOnCampus). We welcome faculty, clinicians, and graduates to contribute as well. Read more here.
Finals are thankfully over, the semester just ended, and warm weather is upon us! There is no better feeling than being free for over 100 days from any school-related responsibility. But the alarming thing is, these summers are limited. There will be a day where summer just means more hours working and taking care of responsibilities. The right actions now can lead to massive results later.
First, if you have an internship, you should look to build as much of a relationship with the firm you work with as you can. Whether you ultimately want to work there full-time or not, your time at the firm will show you how the professional world is and what you need to do to be successful. If you and the firm have a good relationship, chances are you will be able to build a good relationship with any company you decide to work for in the future.
A major aspect of internships that people miss are that you are there to gain experience. If the internship is unpaid, there isn’t any need to get frustrated. The knowledge and experience you’ll gain at the firm will be extremely valuable down the road and is worth more than making an hourly rate. Obviously, getting paid is always a bonus, but should not be the main point of obtaining an internship.
If an internship is not on the agenda, there are so many things to capitalize on. Starting an online business is easy as ever, and is accessible right through a smartphone or laptop. Whether it is a social media marketing business, an e-commerce business, or simply flipping goods like shoes or clothes for a profit, there’s money to be made. I am personally extremely excited to go garage sale-ing this summer and start flipping the items I find on eBay.
Self-education is also as present as ever. YouTube is an unbelievable source for knowledge, and there are endless courses to buy to learn how to invest in stocks or options, develop a skill in copy writing, master graphic design, or learn how to digitally market. With all of the free time available in the summer, you really can make the most out of it and hone in a very valuable skill.
Regardless of what you decide to take action on this summer, make sure that you take full advantage of your freedom, and make sure to have plenty of fun and make memories! Cheers.
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More on Mental Health on Campus:
What Campus Mental Health Centers Are Doing to Keep Up With Student Need
If You’re a Student Who’s Struggling With Mental Health, These 7 Tips Will Help
The Hidden Stress of RAs in the Student Mental Health Crisis