How to Make the Most of Your Post-Grad Summer
I’m so excited to collaborate with my dear friend Gina from Gina Alyse for our Post-Grad Summer series! We’ve got some great posts coming y’alls way in the next couple of weeks, so join us!
The summer after college graduation (or in my case, grad school graduation) is an exciting time in life. You’re finished with education and the “real world” is before you. Although if you ask me, college and grad school are just as “real world”-y as, well, the real world. But that’s another post and conversation for another day.
Maybe you landed a job and start soon after graduation. Maybe you’ll be moving to a new place. Maybe you’re still searching for an ideal opportunity. Or maybe you’re spending your summer exploring and traveling and learning more about yourself and your goals and dreams. Any of the above are great, and you should take the time to learn more about yourself and where you’d like to go next. Since your post-grad summer is such a crucial but also enjoyable time of your life, it’s essential to make the most of it, because you won’t be going back to school in August.
Try something new // Or many things new. Summertime is an awesome opportunity to explore new ventures. Maybe you’ll find a new passion or hobby; you won’t know until you try! There’s so much to do, no matter where you are. And it feels refreshing and enlightening to try something new and love it.
Travel // Whether it’s for a few days, a week, a month, or all summer, go on an adventure. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to exciting places for many summers. Last summer, my friend and I went on a two-week adventure around Eastern Europe after we graduated from college. Definitely a lifetime highlight! Travel doesn’t have to break your bank account, either. There are plenty of affordable, cost-efficient options for all kinds of adventures, inside and outside the U.S.
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Spend lots of time outside // It’s summer. The sun is your friend. Go outside and soak it up. Whether you find a trail to hike, spend some time on the sand and water, or just go out for a picnic with your friends, enjoy the summer weather while it lasts. A few summers ago, I tried stand-up paddle boarding for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. I make an effort to go paddling every summer, and I can’t wait to try it on the Tennessee River.
Make time to rest // Adequate rest and relaxation time is essential to taking care of yourself. Are you getting the recommended eight hours of sleep at night? Do you feel rested when you wake up in the mornings? Go to bed early and have no shame about it. Take naps. Whatever it takes for you to feel rested, do it. You’ll be more productive and feel more creative and adventurous. At least I do!
Visit your family and friends // Spending time with my friends and loved ones always leaves me feeling refreshed and ready for the next adventure. If it’s someone you haven’t seen in a long time, it’s good to take time to catch up and talk about what’s happening in one another’s lives. Even if it’s just a day trip, time with friends is valuable. Everyone needs some family and friend time.
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Be crafty and creative // This is especially wonderful for rainy days when you can’t (or don’t want to) leave the house. I love browsing Pinterest for DIY projects that won’t cost a lot of money (or occasionally projects that are a little bigger). I save a lot to have in mind for a rainy day. Even if you think you aren’t creative, you definitely are, you just may not know it yet! Trying something crafty will show you that you are, indeed, very creative.
Whether your free time is limited or seemingly endless, I encourage you to make the most of your post-grad summer. Take time to learn more about yourself, your talents and interests, and make time for rest and rejuvenation. It may reveal something you never knew or expected – and that’s always a good surprise!
How do you like to spend your summers? What’s your best advice for how to make the most of your post-grad summer?
