By Lauren Bernardo

You personally are the only individual that can determine whether or not you made the most of your summer from a personal development standpoint. But here are a few things to consider, and a few things that you can do before you head back to school.

summer, sand and sunglasses, beach
Photo by Ethan Robertson via Unsplash

Have you achieved the goals you set out at the beginning of the summer? Did you learn a few new skills at work? Did you get a volunteer position that you really wanted?

  • If you still haven’t achieved the goals you set out, sit down with your manager/supervisor at work and see what you can do to achieve your goals. If you were unable to land that volunteer position that you really wanted, e-mail them back and follow up, see if there are any opportunities during the school year that you can do on a part-time basis.
  • Be persistent, and take initiative.

Have you updated your resume?

  • While you’re still working, you have a much clearer idea of the tasks you completed and skills you learned while working or volunteering, or the ones you learned from non-university/college courses. Make sure to start adding/editing your resume when all of this is still fresh in your mind.

Make sure to gather samples of your work.

  • Have you worked on some really interesting projects this summer? Make sure to get copies of these and keep them. Put them in a portfolio, scan them, etc. These will come in handy the next time you apply for a job.

Have you travelled enough?

  • Make sure you make some awesome memories this summer so at least you have something great to remember while your soul is being destroyed at school…

Have you saved up enough money?

  • Unfortunately, this is the least fun thing to ask yourself, but it’s necessary. Have you planned out how much you will need for the next school year? Will you have enough to make it through? Some things to consider.
    • Rent
    • Food
    • Tuition
    • “Entertainment” such as partying, alcohol, movies, dinners, etc.
    • What money will you get from loans, OSAP, scholarships, etc.?

If you already find yourself in the red based on the income you have earned this summer, make sure to save every penny you can from now until school starts. Maybe try and take on another part-time job that can transition into the fall semester in order to keep you afloat. Or check out scholarship websites. Start applying and see what you can do to get some extra funding. By thinking about this now, it will be a lot less stressful when you suddenly can’t afford food for a week during the school year, close to exams. School is already hard enough.