The Post Collegiate Summer

Being one of the State College-ites who chose not to take summer classes, I've had a full-fledged break. And while being at home can seem strangely akin to high school life, there are some differences between teenage summers and post-freshman summers. For one, no matter what you do, there's a high chance you'll think you could be do something else that would look more impressive on your résumé. I know watching Game of Thrones is educational--unfortunately, Graduate programs may not have such advanced thinking.

1) You will sleep in. A lot.
Once upon a time there was a high school student who had the inability to sleep past 7:45 A.M. She thought this to be a curse. Then she went to college, and can no longer drag her ass out of bed before 11:00.
Your parents, who may accuse you of sloth-dom, will be more understanding if you explain that you were up late reading your textbooks for next semester. Really, your textbooks will be collecting dust in their respective packages until classes start.
Try to maintain some normal sleep schedule a few weeks before classes, or if you have a job that requires you to wake up at ungodly hours. But then break that schedule when you discover a highly addictive show, book, caffeinated beverage, etc.

2) It will be very difficult to read a book without A) a pencil in hand and B) analytical thought.
Sometimes, you just want to read for fun. Like, who ever applied literary theory onto the Sookie Stackhouse novels? College students on break, that's who. While it can be fun to realize that not every lecture went to waste, it can also turn a five hour reading project into a two week one.

3) You may have a strong urge to tell your parents, not ask, what you're doing/where you're going.
Family dynamics are obviously a case-by-case basis, but do resist this urge. Your parents most likely realize that they have far less control on their kids as they grow up, but if you're living in their house (or even if you're not) it can be nice to hear that their children respect and appreciate them. If you aren't asking for their vehicles or money, it's perfectly fine to ask for a tad more freedom. But don't go all "I'm an adult, what do you mean 'midnight curfew'?" while you watch their cable and eat the chips they paid for.

4) You will try to squeeze every activity you've ever done onto your résumé. And then you'll start freaking out about how to get a career.
Even if you have what you deem as a "silly summer job," it really will look impressive on your résumé if you persevere. Show up early, get to know your managers, take extra shifts...you never know who may be writing your next recommendation. And everybody worked their way from the bottom. Except Paris Hilton, and nobody likes her.

5) If you fell victim to the freshman 15, you may be tempted to stare into your closet and try on old jeans. Don't. This will make all semblance of self-esteem fall out the window. This self-esteem can shoot right back up by setting early alarms with the intention of exercising, then sleeping through them instead.

Namaste.