Summer is almost here! Many of you are getting excited about your travels, internship, classes or just relaxing by the pool. Whatever you are doing I encourage you to take some time to do one of the following:

•     Blog

Are you studying abroad? Taking classes? Summer is a great opportunity to start a blog and talk about your travels, reflect on classes you are taking or write about a new skill you are learning. Blogging is a chance to put the photography skills we all learned in Gateway to use. Find something you want to write about and do it!

•     Read

Read books for pleasure. Whether you are on a plane, by the swimming pool or in your backyard, pick-up a book and read it. If you are unsure what to read ask your professors or friends for recommendations.

•     Get certified

This is a great time to get certified in Hootsuite, CISION, Google Analytics or anything else you may be interested in. As students, it can be challenging to find time in our busy school schedules to do these things. So, take advantage of these three months to learn a new skill and get certified.

•     Work on your online portfolio

Gather all the materials you have created in classes, student groups and internships. This will save you a lot of time in the future when you are creating your portfolio/website. If you already have the content and are ready to create a portfolio, great! Go for it! Summer is a great time to work on your portfolio.

•     Do informational interviews

Find people in your town that are doing something you would like to do in the future and take them out for coffee. It’s never too late or too early to network and learn from someone in the industry. Did you talk to someone a couple of months ago? Send them a message and ask to meet again to share an update on what you have been up to.

•     Relax and recharge for next year

Be sure to take some time to relax. Go to a museum, concert, spend time with friends or watch a movie. You have worked so hard this year so, take some time for yourself. Do things that help you unwind and will help fill you with energy for next year. Relax and recharge!

Have a wonderful summer!