With the warmer weather finally here, our minds are focused on summer. On Monday, the seniors at Oberlin College will be graduating and going on to the next steps of their journey. For the rest of the student body, you may be working a part-time job, doing an internship, taking an academic course, or conducting research. Some of you may be doing a combination of these while traveling around the globe.
Wherever you find yourself this summer, I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to learn about yourself - your interests, your strengths, your weaknesses - and try something new. You can do this in many different ways, but here are a few ideas to make the most of your summer experiences.
1. Make a new friend. A friend, not an acquaintance. Really take a chance to get to know someone and allow them to get to know you. And, if you are like me, it may be a challenge to continue that friendship, so plan now to make efforts to stay in touch, even if you live a continent away (which is why I suggested making one new friend instead of dozens).
2. Keep a journal. Make a commitment to write in your journal every night, even if it is just a few lines. I recently came across my journal from studying abroad in Ecuador many (too many) years ago. I had forgotten most of the experience at this point, so it was amazing to be able to relive it in the moment that I wrote down the words. You may not feel the benefit of it now, but it is amazing to look back and see how much you grew, from the start of the experience to the end.
3. Find a mentor. This goes hand in hand with the first suggestion of making a friend, but going one step further. Instead of reaching across, you are reaching up. These are the people in your life that make you see differently, think bigger and dream the impossible. Whether you are going home or working in a lab for the summer, find someone that challenges you to be better, if it’s achieving specific goals or discovering your interests.
4. Dive into ONE interest. That being said, notice the emphasis on the “one”. Most people have several interests and hobbies. I challenge you to choose only one of those and really immerse yourself through studying it and practicing it. You can even get feedback from your new friend and your mentor!
5. Learn a new skill. Depending on what you are doing this summer, you will be using a lot of strengths, but also doing some things that may feel a little uncomfortable. Lean into that discomfort and find an area you know you can improve. Some examples might be using Excel, public speaking, taking the lead on a group project, teaching yourself coding or photography. The opportunities are endless, but focus on a skill that you feel are aligned with your key interests and will help you moving forward.
Even if you only do two of these things, I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment and growth. Don’t forget to take a moment at the end of the summer before classes begin to breathe and reflect over your experiences. You may just be surprised to find out how much you have discovered about yourself.
4. Dive into ONE interest. That being said, notice the emphasis on the “one”. Most people have several interests and hobbies. I challenge you to choose only one of those and really immerse yourself through studying it and practicing it. You can even get feedback from your new friend and your mentor!
5. Learn a new skill. Depending on what you are doing this summer, you will be using a lot of strengths, but also doing some things that may feel a little uncomfortable. Lean into that discomfort and find an area you know you can improve. Some examples might be using Excel, public speaking, taking the lead on a group project, teaching yourself coding or photography. The opportunities are endless, but focus on a skill that you feel are aligned with your key interests and will help you moving forward.
Even if you only do two of these things, I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment and growth. Don’t forget to take a moment at the end of the summer before classes begin to breathe and reflect over your experiences. You may just be surprised to find out how much you have discovered about yourself.
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