Making the Most of Your Summer

It’s summertime! Do you know what that means? School’s out and it is time to have some fun. Whether you’re starting freshman year of college in the fall or taking a gap year, this is a great time to refocus on some things that might have been neglected during your busy senior year.

If you are starting college in the fall, check whether your college offers pre-freshman year programs that align with your intended major or interests. These types of programs provide participants the opportunity to establish a community/connection with other students in their class before the start of the semester. Participants also get the chance to tour the campus and become more familiar with the area before the semester starts. The summer before my freshman year of college, I did a 6 weeks summer program offered by my university. Through this program, I made friends that were part of other classes and programs in later years. This was the foundation of my original friend groups and academic networks at the university. So, if your college has these programs, I highly recommend signing up for one of them. ‘

Whether you’re a total bookworm or haven’t finished a full novel in years, reading this summer is highly recommended. If you’re looking for good book recommendations, check out this post! Now that you have more free time under your control, you get to do more of the things that you enjoy-so why not do something enjoyable and enriching like reading some of the many books. If you’re into ebooks, I recommend using a kinder reader and uploading your favorites to your virtual library. While you’re reading, make note of what you learned/gained from the book to reflect and reference to later.

Finally, but most importantly, take the time to spend time with friends and family. There will be a time when you won’t have all your friends and family in the same area as before, so enjoy the convenience now. Embrace the moment and create priceless memories with your loved ones. College is a demanding challenge, and the support from family and friends is a critical component of surviving and achieving that challenge. We hope that you will also consider EmpowerU when you need support during the challenges that arise during college.