Like travel to Europe. Or, volunteering at a church mission in South America. Perhaps even backpacking their way across the United States.
In reality, many college-bound students find that the summer after high school is too short, with just weeks to prepare before heading off to campus in early August. And unless this opportunity was initiated or repeated again over the intervening years, the last shot for a final fling is the summer following college graduation.
Final Fling
If you are looking for work or won’t be starting your new job until the fall, you still have some time to do what you want to do. That time is brief, but it may be all that you need to take in a final fling.
1. Hit the road. Money may be tight, but if you have a few dollars in hand, you can travel nearly anywhere. Gas up your car or hop on a train and visit with friends or family you haven’t seen in ages. Or travel to a national park or other destination you have never visited before. Find one or two other friends that are interested in doing the same thing, to keep each other company and to split your costs.
2. Volunteer abroad. Your church or social service organization may be looking for volunteers to help run a camp, construct housing or reach out to the poor in some constructive way. Update your passport, offer your services and raise funds from friends to spend your summer helping others. You will help others and have an experience to add to your resume as well.
3. Learn something new. The idea of heading back to class immediately following college may not seem like an ideal option for many students. This time, however, you can take a class for personal enrichment, learning a new skill or hobby just for the fun of it. Learn how to cook south Asian style. Take in an automotive boot camp. Expand your photography skills. Find an online Spanish tutor and learn a new language. Whatever you learn will stay with you for life, a hobby that can provide a diversion as you pursue your career.
4. Expand your network. While you are doing everything that you want to do, do not neglect what will help you moving forward: building and expanding your personal network. At summer’s end you may not have a job to go to, but with your networking connections in place you can ask people for referrals and help. Update your LinkedIn account, clean up your Facebook connections and use Twitter wisely.
Gap Year
For some college graduates that first summer “free” is not enough to sate their appetites. A gap year may do it, providing an extended time for discovering themselves and the world around them — a final fling before life’s pursuits move in.
See Also — 5 Things for College Students to do This Summer
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