The main issue many college students have is being able to make their summer as productive as possible. One thing you should do is relax and enjoy your summer because those ten months throughout the school year are strenuous enough. Incorporate these five tips into your summer to ensure it’s productive, meaningful, and worthwhile!

1.  Internships/co-ops

It’s not enough to just go to college and get good grades. Many employers expect students to graduate with relevant work experience. Internships and co-ops are vital experiences that every college student needs. The difference between the two is that internships are usually for one semester or over the summer and can be paid or unpaid. Students typically do more than one internship throughout their college career so they can try out a variety of jobs within their field. Generally, co-ops last for more than one semester, and students might take classes in the fall and then work for the company during ​the spring semester. This rotation can sometimes go on for more than one year. Despite what you choose, it is important to have these experiences stay competitive in your desired field. Although many internships and co-ops only qualify juniors and seniors, do not let that stop you if you’re a freshman or sophomore because the earlier you start an internship and get experience, the better it is for you.

2.     Take Summer Courses

If an internship or co-op is not a part of your summer endeavors, then you can never go wrong with taking summer classes. Summer courses are an ideal way to take advantage of small classes, catch up on your progress toward your degree and give you the opportunity to concentrate on just one or two courses at a time. Whether you’re taking these courses to eliminate a bad grade, boost your GPA or even to lighten your course load for the school year, these are all beneficial. Before you take these courses, check with your home college or university to make sure that your credits will be taken, and whether the grade will affect your GPA or just benefit your transcript.

3.     Study Abroad

Studying abroad in college will be one of the best experiences you will ever have in your life. Studying abroad will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide. Being immersed in an entirely new culture can be exciting and scary, however, the opportunities and experiences are endless. You can discover new strengths through challenges, and solve new problems through situations you never expected. You will learn to adapt and respond in new and effective ways. Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture. The experience abroad often challenges them to reconsider their own beliefs and values.

4.     Get a Job

Some may think that getting a job during the summer at a fast-food restaurant or at your local mall is a waste of your summer. You should be doing something more productive with your summer now that you’re in college, right? Well isn’t college expensive? Aren’t you on your own? Don’t you have to support yourself financially? How is that possible if you do not work over the summer? Granted some students have parents and other means of financial resources but for the rest of us, this may not be the case. Working and saving are key.

5.     Volunteer

The best place for college students to volunteer is somewhere within your major if possible. For example, if you’re a college student majoring in multimedia journalism and aspiring to be a news anchor, why not volunteer or even shadow at your local TV station if an internship or co-op isn’t offered? Volunteering offers you professional experiences, encourages civic responsibility, and betters your community. Volunteering may also open the door for further opportunities because it shows that you can do work without expecting some type of financial benefit in return.