You’ve finally finished university and graduation day is approaching (and so is the real world). But first, you have one last, long summer to enjoy before starting your graduate job.
Once you’ve entered the world of work, you’re unlikely to have this much free time again. While you’ll still have vacation days to enjoy, this summer is probably going to be the last time you’ll have a 3-month break in a while. So, here’s how to make the most of it!
Your last summer break is the perfect opportunity to travel and see a bit more of the world. Inter-railing is a popular choice amongst students that is relatively affordable and you’re likely to meet some like-minded people along the way.
If you don’t have the funds for jet-setting, then you can combine employment and adventure. Taking part in programmes like Camp America is a great way to travel and earn some money at the same time. You could also look into au pairing and other jobs abroad that will help you to facilitate your travelling.
Volunteering is also something you can do both at home and abroad. Get involved in something that you feel passionate about and make a difference with your time. Volunteering is also great to include on your CV and can help you to develop valuable skills such as communication and teamwork.
After graduation, your friends are likely to disperse around the country (and even the world) and organising get togethers becomes a lot more difficult. Spend some quality time with your nearest and dearest whilst you can.
If you like music, camping and beer then get yourself to some festivals this summer. You can either go and enjoy with a big group of friends or volunteer and you’ll be able to see some of your favourite bands for free! You may have some unpredictable British weather to compete with though, so don’t forget your rain mac!
With so much time on your hands, get out and do the things you love. You can even use the summer as an opportunity to start a new hobby. You’ll still have time to do what makes you happy once you start work, but then you’ll have to squeeze your hobbies into the evenings and weekends.
If you’re thinking you’d like to start working in September, then be prepared to spend some of your summer looking for graduate jobs. Job hunting isn’t particularly fun, however, the graduate job market is competitive and it may take you some time to secure the role that you want.
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