Kendell Caracciolo 4/17/2017 10:43
Host Company: Bluelock
As spring semester continues and end seems almost near, the sweet idea of summer is almost palpable. Gearing up for the “last summer as a kid” is exciting. Maybe you’re expanding your horizons this summer by calling a new city home or interning at a new company. Maybe you’re staying home and planning to spend the last summer with the gang making memories. Regardless, as a soon-to-be-senior, your future summers will no longer be designated vacation time. Scary, right? Well, we have some great suggestions that will help make your “last summer” an unforgettable one!
1. Travel, explore, adventure: Summers seem to fly by and your last summer is no exception. However, studies have shown that more unique and diverse experiences lead to feelings of time “slowing down.” Slow down your summer by trying something new. Find a new restaurant on Yelp, plan an unusual vacation, take a roadtrip to the beach, or explore a nearby town that you don’t know much about. Just do your best to get out and experience a new setting.
2. Soak in the last days with your hometown crew: Getting the old gang back together is always one of the best parts about summer, and unfortunately, these reunions will become fewer and farther between. After graduating, the people you once had down the street will be taking jobs all over the country – maybe even all over the world. Trust us, you won’t regret that late night trip to Dairy Queen or the Sunday morning brunches with your friends.
3. Spend time with your family: On average, new hires receive 14 vacation days per year, meaning 2-3 weeks of time out of the office. Use the time you have now to share experiences with your family during your final summer. Take a family trip, go shopping with your mom, or help dad do one of his house projects. Chances are, the extra time spent together this summer will mean even more to your family than you realize.
4. Be creative: The post-grad life is a very routined life. So practice the art of trying new things while you still can. Sometimes it’s not easy to do something uncomfortable and new. As we grow up, excuses are a lot easier to come by. “I need to get groceries,” “The cat needs fed,” or “I’m too worn out from work.” Learn to stretch yourself by trying out a new hobby, learning about a different culture, just trying something different. Do the fun and crazy things you have always wanted to do NOW; before the dry cleaning needs to be picked up and your taxes are due.
5. Enjoy the things you love the most: Lastly, enjoy your passions to the fullest. Use a portion of that internship money for a weekend trip, to learn a new recipe, or sign up for an intramural team. Regardless of what you do, just make sure it’s what you love. There is no better way to unwind from the day than with something that brings you joy. As William James, American philosopher, once said: “This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.”
Intrigued by Orr Fellowship? Good. You should be. We believe your first job out of college should be meaningful. Orr Fellowship helps top graduates do just that. Learn more at orrfellowship.org, and follow us on social media by clicking below.
