The warmer temperatures, sudden appearance of gigantic insects and surprisingly long periods of sunlight can only mean one thing: summer is almost here. Many of you probably have already made plans, while others are just too focused on trying to pass their classes. The three months you have free from academic obligations undoubtedly may tempt you to party to the point where you black out until August, but there are more productive (if not possibly less fun) ways to spend your summer. Here are a couple of suggestions:
1.Internship
No matter how good your grades are, it will not be enough when you go on the job hunt after you graduate. Work experience is always appreciated by employers and internships help you in that regard. Not all internships are paid so you may feel cheated out of your minimum wage.
2.A job
Considering you go to a SUNY, you will probably be short on cash. The rise of gas prices and other expenses (food, water, girlfriend’s shopping needs) will have you broke like a joke before June. Become a camp counselor or work in the mail room of an office building to help fight off poverty. If you think you’re too smart and good to work in McDonald’s … you’re wrong.
3.Summer classes
What better way is there to escape school than more school? This pertains to double majors and students with some academic troubles. Instead of graduating a year later, how about catching up by making up for the credits you fail to get the first time around so you can walk with your friends at graduation? Make grandma proud.
4.Volunteer
There’s nothing sexier than a humane person. Volunteering for a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of endangered animals or helping handicapped children have some fun in the pool will not bring in any money, but instead some much needed good karma points ever since you slept with your best friend’s sister and cousins (both first and second).
5.Travel
If you have some money saved up (aka parents’ credit cards), why not take a trip to Europe? You don’t have to spend a fortune on hotels and plane tickets (except the one to get to Europe) because you can travel by train and sleep in hostels. If flying isn’t your thing, take a road trip across the country to California and try to have sex with those girls from “The Hills” (word on the street is it’s not that hard).
In contrast, here is a list of things NOT to do during your summer.
1.Bum around
Nobody likes a lazy, unwashed person watching television all day long. The temptation to sit on your ass while doing absolutely nothing but downloading movies (porn and non-porn) and eating ice cream may be strong, but fight it. Two weeks into your summer break, you’ll be hounded by parents, friends, significant others and even your dog to get the f*ck out of the house (See what I did there? Hounded? Dog? Clever, right? … I used to be funny).
2.Professional boob inspector
There is no such thing as a professional boob inspector.
3.Become a superhero
You don’t have any superpowers and you’re a coward. The only thing you’ll be saving is that Twinkie for later.
I hope these two lists help you in determining what you will and will not do. Enjoy your summer as a college student while it lasts because once you graduate and become a real person, vacation will be a concept lost on you, or more important, your employer.