Comments on: Foolish Mistakes College Students Are Making For This Summer

By: Maureen

Maureen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:24:29 +0000

@ BeyondBeerMoney – 100% there with you hence my 9 weeks contract and 3 month summer. Although technically I have to train for another part time job just before I start uni. I have to make time for my trip to Paris for my 21st as that has been a desire for sooooo long. Having been abroad for a year I think it’s super important to meet up with friends also!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:21:41 +0000

Also not tailoring each cover letter for each company they are applying for? I’ve found that has worked with my job applications. Make it personal. It only takes a few mins to check out their website and pick out a quality you can discuss in your covering letter. It just seems so impersonal to hand out just a generic c.v. It shows no effort in my opinion. Alas the handing out of cvs and individually tailored cvs has worked in my favour. I have a 9 week contract lined up and was offered another job today! It’s a relief because moving back to London is going to be one big shock to my bank account.

By: Vik Dulat

Vik Dulat — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:11:28 +0000

At the end of the day, most college students have the “do the next day” syndrome. Rather than taking the initiative, they wait until the last moment and most of the time, that last moment is too late.

By: MyLifeROI

MyLifeROI — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:19:53 +0000

I took one summer off and bicycled through Europe.

It was a great experience and I don’t regret it at all.

I think that you need to weigh your choices. If you are in mountains of debt you should probably find a job. If you are financially stable then you might be able to afford a nice getaway (even if it isn’t a summer long one like mine!).

Also, in line with Beyond Beer Money’s suggestion… take advantage of the recession. To get more done with less, unpaid internships are very popular right now. Get your foot in the door!

By: Studenomist

Studenomist — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:31:02 +0000

@BeyondBeerMoney Thanks for the excellent point. I’m interested in hearing more of what you have to say on this topic. Perhaps a guest post?

@E.C I definitely advise all of my readers to have fun. My recommendation is to take a week off here and there to relax and recharge your batteries. A week off is perfect but a whole summer of relaxing is pushing it.

By: E.C.

E.C. — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:22:58 +0000

May I also suggest that you also try to find a little time in your summer for fun? The summer after my freshman year I did two semester of organic chemistry, and the following two summers I had internships in research laboratories. Last summer I spent the couple of weeks I had between graduation and the start of Teach For America summer Institute in the lab because I didn’t want to let my project go without thoroughly training others to take it over. Those were all valuable experiences, but right now I’m feeling pretty burned out and wished I’d carved out a couple of weeks during the past four years to go camping or lie on a beach somewhere.

By: BeyondBeerMoney

BeyondBeerMoney — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:15:45 +0000

Another huge mistake:

Not taking advantage of the recession!!

Seems counter- intuitive, right? Look around. When there are fewer jobs, the opportunity cost of taking a risk and doing something you love is lower. So why not try to start your own business this summer rather than sitting in an office filing papers? Doing something you love will not only be more interesting, but you’re likely to be more successful at it (thus making you more desirable for future employers and increasing your earnings later on down the line)

Think about it.