While the school semester can feel overwhelming for any hard-working college student, that does not give any reason to use the summer vacation period as an excuse to be lazy or spoiled. Fresno City College students not attending summer school have a little more than three months to spend their time as they choose, so why not do something productive?
The summer break should be used as an opportunity to achieve many goals, such as getting a job, volunteering with organizations, interning or job shadowing with companies, helping one’s family or spending time planning for a future career.
The U.S. is the most privileged nation in the world, and while there may be many socioeconomic problems still plaguing our country, all students can take advantage of the multitude of opportunities set before them.
What right do we, Americans, have to complain about tiring school schedules when we receive more than adequate financial aid, ease of transportation to and from school and free access to technology?
There are several computer labs, workshops and a library filled with thousands of resources available to students during the summer session.
Several consecutive months of studying, reading, taking tests and waking up early can be exhausting, but what do students expect? We are all young adults facing unsure futures in a changing world where having a work ethic is necessary.
Finding a job, a volunteer organization, or other opportunities to keep oneself busy does not have to be boring and dreaded. Even with a job, students can still find time for fun in the sun and personal goals to accomplish by prioritizing and being responsible.
Many creative options exist for those looking to combine a hobby with a job. Students who love to spend time outdoors will find mutual benefits from a job at the Island Waterpark, Wild Water Adventure Park, or even Blackbeard’s.
Students looking into careers in biology, animal sciences or the veterinary field may find volunteering with the Chaffee Zoo for a summer both memorable and attractive when printed on their resume.
Even a job with McDonald’s, Urban Outfitters or any other retail business will provide a young student with experience in leadership and business skills.
Although a summer devoted to flipping burgers at Wendy’s may not sound as glamorous as one spent lounging by the pool pampering yourself, it can be the deciding factor between you and your future competitors once you graduate college.
Not only does a summer spent working or volunteering pay off in terms of a potential career years down the road, it also establishes a strong work ethic and understanding of adult responsibilities.
Those paychecks you earn over the summer can also easily become a blessing in future emergencies, act as a buffer for the months you do not have to work, or contribute to rent, groceries or any other necessities your family may struggle to cover on their own.
For students not as privileged as others, a laid-back summer vacation is an unlikely reality. Many students have no choice but to work or go to summer school to take advantage of the opportunity to increase their finances or speed through their education. This underscores the privilege those not under these circumstances should see not to take for granted.
We are privileged to live in a country that grants plenty of opportunities for financial, educational and personal mobility to its citizens, even when those opportunities are more challenging to come by. As college students given the gift of education, we should take advantage of our relatively easy existence in comparison to others and instill life-long skills and talents within ourselves that can be powerful tools in future upward mobility for ourselves and our families.
The looming inevitability of summer jobs, volunteer work or time productively spent reading, exercising or helping family and friends does not have to be a burden. In fact, students should embrace the opportunity to try new things and explore their interests amid the sunny days of summer.
