After months and months of attending lectures, writing essays, assignments and sitting exams, for most students the summer is finally here. If you’re still not sure about how to spend the next three months of your life, below are some suggestions to help you choose between the age-old question of whether to work or travel.
How busy do you expect the next academic year to be?
You might be planning to learn a language, join a society or maybe just focus on your dissertation. If you’re preparing to pack lots into the next academic year, then get ahead of the game now to cut down on unnecessary stress. If you know that your next academic year is full of commitments, consider using your free time in the summer to get some work experience.
Do you ever find time to stop and reflect?
University is a very busy time, and there’s rarely a moment to reflect on the skills and experiences you’ve already gained. In the race to ditch the classroom for the beach, take the time to add up all of your volunteer hours, time spent tutoring and the months you juggled a part-time job alongside your studies. Even if you aren’t looking for a job now, it is worth having an up-to-date copy of your CV so that you can keep track of how much experience you actually have.
What can travelling do for you?
You may not realise it, but your globetrotting experience and weeks spent roaming distant countries can set you apart from the crowd. Without knowing it, you will have been honing your communication, time-management and money management skills.
Why not do both?
For those of you who are undecided, there is no need to feel as though you can only do one or the other. Summer placements are usually condensed into a month or two, so getting some extra experience can work alongside other plans. Combining both options is a great way to have the best of both worlds, and working before you travel will give you the savings you need for your trip alongside developing your employability.