How not to be worthless during the summer
As my summer officially started yesterday at 2:30 after my last final, I immediately joined most of my peers dreaming of the free time, summer parties, nice weather, and freedom. While this is probably natural and normal, as much as you’d love to take a summer off, don’t.
Why? Time is money. The opportunity cost of being worthless is huge for most students during the summer. So instead, why not try exploiting your freedom to actually pay some of your tuition? Or if you don’t have to pay your tuition, why not fund your ’09 spring break?
So, here are my views on not being worthless during the summer:
1. Work
Notice I didn’t say get a job. While getting a job is the most practical solution for most people, if you can make money or build a future, consistent revenue stream through your own business do that. My recommendations for working during the summer are as follows:
- Make money from your own business, which will offer future passive revenue streams from today’s work
- Get an internship in your field or desired career path.
- Get a normal job and work as much as possible.
2. Work (again… I know..) for Yourself
If you elect to get an internship or “normal” college summer job, still, work for yourself. Even when I’ll be working 50-60 hours/week landscaping, I will be putting in another 25+ hours/week working on my own websites, online business opportunities, and investing. Partially because I enjoy everything about entrepreneurship, and also because I know the dividends from my work will really pay off during the school year. For example, I think it’s safe to assume that a blog or content based website built well and smart can make a consistent low $XXX in 6-9 months with a little luck. Now sounds a bit tempting huh?
3. Set Goals, Make a Plan
Making a timetable of goals that I want to achieve is definitely key to not slipping into the world of worthlessness. Make a plan, know your plan, and achieve it.
For my plans I use Microsoft OneNote and online email reminders (like those from BackpackIt). Just use whatever method necessary to make a plan and stay on task.
4. Develop Some Skills
Improve your HTML/CSS, learn how to invest, practice photography, brush up on business software, or start playing golf. Summer gives college aged people a good time to develop some practical skills that may be of use sometime in their professional lives. Personally, this summer I will learn how to invest with options and I will try to become more comfortable with Microsoft Access and other types of databases.
5. Do something fun
I hate to be cliche and end like this, but summer for college students shouldn’t be all work/no play. I recommend playing hard on the weekend nights, and possibly venturing out for the memorable road trip at least once. Just be sure to hedge your gas costs by investing in some energy beforehand (USO anyone?)
Good advice. I’m actually taking classes and working on my own websites – with a vacation in August to look forward to…