Choosing the right thing to do between college semesters can be difficult. There are mixed emotions about wanting to stay a kid and do fun stuff and feeling obligated to get a job or an internship that can help your career. You have many options, and everyone’s path is different, but many students struggle to see how they can have fun and be productive in one summer while also taking a break to combat burnout. As a senior getting ready to graduate and move on to my next phase of life, here is my advice on how to organize your summers to maximize fun and professional growth.

The Summer After Freshman Year

It’s tempting to jump right into being an adult as soon as you finish your first year of college, but don’t forget that this is also your first time back at home after being away for a whole year. It also might be your last chance to have a “kid summer” before having to focus on getting an internship. The summer after my freshman year, I lived out my childhood dream of being a camp counselor at the summer camp I grew up going to. I cannot recommend this enough. The words “camp counselor” look great on a resume, and it’s a fun job! You truly get the best of both worlds with this job.

The Summer After Sophomore Year

The best choice I ever made was studying abroad for the summer. I had a fantastic time and learned so much about myself, the world, and traveling. It was also great because I was taking classes that I needed to graduate, but I wasn’t doing it in a way that fed into my burnout; rather, I was doing it while exploring Europe. This was the perfect balance as I bridged the gap to the second half of college and needed to focus on my future career. My biggest advice for every college student is to study abroad at some point in their college career. I promise you won’t regret it.

The Summer After Junior Year

Finally, it was time to look for an internship. As a design major, most major companies don’t accept interns younger than junior year, so I had my timeline somewhat laid out for me because of that. I spent the Spring semester of junior year searching for an internship and applying to many, many positions, then getting rejected from many, many positions. This grueling process can be disheartening, but I was lucky enough to be offered an internship at Georgia Aquarium for the summer. I loved my time there, and I learned so much about design and about working. I also had a super fun summer! I was able to hang out with friends after work and on the weekends and explore the city. Going into your senior year can be daunting, but having a little bit of work experience under my belt made the process feel more exciting than scary.

The Summer After Senior Year

I’m about to graduate so I’ll impart some wisdom that has been given to me. Most of the job application process is out of your hands, so you have to go with the flow. Your first job will likely not be your dream job, but rather a steppingstone towards the career you want. Keep an open mind and know that what’s meant to be, will be. Everybody’s path looks different, but it will all work out in the end.

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