SUMMER AGAIN!!!

            It’s that time of year again when students take a deep breath and look forward to the freedom of summer.  While some students are stocking up on novels to keep them company through those long, open days, and others are flexing their fingers in anticipation of hours of gaming, or perhaps dreaming of long, lazy, days at the lake, summer also offers an opportunity to complete some preparation for college and career that can be hard to fit into the busy weeks during the school year.  The following summer activities can help you get ready for the day you graduate – which tends to come sooner than you might think!

1. Get a job.  Work experience is great for your resume, and for college and scholarship applications.  The extra money in your pocket isn’t bad either.
2. Find an internship in a career field you’re interested in.  While you might not get paid right now, this valuable experience can help you get a job later on, and can also help you figure out if this is really what you want to do.
3. Volunteer. There are plenty of community organizations that could use your help.  Find something you’re interested in, like helping people, improving the environment, or working with animals.  It’s also a great way to meet people with similar interests.  And it’ll give you something to put on your resume and/or college and scholarship applications later.
4. Explore your interests.  Learn something new.  Learn a new sport or skill.  It may be that this is the summer you discover your love of herpetology, and launch yourself into a long and satisfying career.
5. Dream about your future.  And when you’re done dreaming, do a little planning. Think about where you might want to live, and do some online searching for colleges that offer majors you’re interested in.  For that matter, do some online searching on different majors and careers and find out what they’re all about.  
6. If you just finished your junior year, research deadlines for applications for colleges you’re interested in as well as scholarships you might qualify for.  Fall of senior year is likely to be extremely busy, and the more organized you can be now, the better off you’ll be come fall.
7. If you have the chance, visit some college campuses.  See what it’s like to walk around campus, and if there are students there for summer session, ask them what it’s like to go to school there.

            Yes, it’s true (probably) that you’ve worked hard all year and have earned yourself a little rest and relaxation.  And by all means, relax and have some fun.  But while you’re doing that, spend a few of your free hours looking to the future.