How to Best Utilize Summer

This summer, we all have different plans. Some are interning, others are doing research, some are abroad, and others are vacationing. Whatever your plans, these seven steps can definitely help you to make the most of your summer:

7. Save – In these tough times, make an effort to save as much as you possible can. Make a budget and stick to it. Have fun, but unnecessary spending can really dwindle your account. A good strategy is to get your paychecks direct deposited into your account. From there, you can set it up to have 20-30% of it directly deposited into your savings account with the rest in your checking.

6. Get away – Take a vacation. This can be somewhere extravagant like the Bahamas or somewhere peaceful like a log cabin somewhere in Aspen. But if you’re trying to truly follow tip #7 above, then you can do a “refresh” weekend. Just take a day to turn off your phone, not check email, and curl up on the couch with some popcorn and a good book (check step #1 below) or a movie. We all could use a good break.

5. Learn something cool – Take a little time to learn to fish, surf, or even play an instrument, like a harmonica. Without any pressure from deadlines or school performances (unless you want), the new experience should be great and really relaxing!

4. Network – This one is pretty simple: Meet as many people as possible! Whether you’re at church, work, volunteering (see #3 below), or even going to social festivities, you never know who you’ll meet. There’s a lot of value in human and social capital.

3. Volunteer – Because of financial constraints, many organizations need extra help that they cannot afford and would LOVE an extra hand. Not only can you help a needy organization by volunteering, you can also gain valuable skills from the organization and build meaningful relationships with the constituents.

2. Reflect – With life moving so fast, it’s hard to remember to slow down and think. Take some time to focus on you this summer. Write a weekly poem or keep a daily journal. Just airing out your thoughts can really help with personal development.

1. Read for pleasure – We all tend to forget this one. The benefits reaped from reading without deadlines and papers are immeasurable. Whether the book is fiction, sci-fi, or something for personal development, nothing beats curling up with a good book.

Try them all and post more if you have ideas!

---Contributed by Jarell Lee, Sr. Co-Director of BBSN