Summer - the most important semester

It’s finally here and some of us are salivating at the mere thought of it. As college students nationwide emerge from their finals-induced coma there is only one thought on their minds: “Ahh....summer!!”

In the miserable slog through quagmires of boredom and annoyance -- better known to most as the school year -- summer is bonafide utopia in comparison. It’s a mystical time when classes and projects dissipate, making way for more amiable endeavors -- beaches and relaxation. Unfortunately for many college students, summer is spent vacillating daily between the two most important elements of our lives outside of school: the fridge and the couch.

But the truth of the matter is, as a college student you have an obligation to yourself to keep moving forward. To this point, it is important not to waste time. This arbitrary three-month gap between the spring and fall semester is actually essential to success.

Summer is, frankly, the most important semester.

The fall and spring semesters are very controlled times in a college student’s life. There are classes we must attend, projects we must finish and papers that must be rushed down the night before it’s due (we’ve all been there.) Summer, in contrast allows us to take control of our regimented lives and pursue our development on our own accord.

Summer is not a time to rest on your laurels, wasting time and allowing your brain muscles to atrophy. Nor is it the time to fall into a perpetual cycle of waking up past noon and gorging on snacks. It’s a time to think about progress, whether in school, career or life.

Some students exemplify this ideology.

Nadine Suleiman, a 19-year-old student from Baruch College, is forgoing the norm and truly stepping outside of her comfort zone.

The marketing major is shunning the prospect of a summer in New York City, instead opting to spend six weeks working at a children's sports summer camp in Greece as an English teacher.

While political unrest, collective hysteria and a population mired in misery may deter most, Suleiman is ready for the challenge, though she admits that the pangs of fear still linger.

“As a teenage girl who hasn't traveled on her own, I'm actually a lot more scared than excited.” Suleiman said.

Despite this, she is looking forward to the experience -- hoping to further both her personal and professional experiences in the process.

“I hope to find independence and maturity within myself. I'm taking this opportunity to grow both personally, through internal development, and professionally, in a working environment.” Sulieman said.

This two-pronged experience is something we as students should aspire to achieve. Being able to balance both personal and professional development is essential to growth in the collegiate years.

Suleiman got her opportunity through the student club AIESEC, whose main objective is to facilitate exchange opportunities for college students. They provide internship opportunities in over 110 countries.

For the less adventurous among us there are other alternatives.

Internships, of course, are the method of choice for most students, while working is another. Both are viable options that will give you a leg up in todays economic climate. This is especially pertinent information for undergraduates, who usually delay internships until later in their college career.

Summer is a time to explore ourselves, further our development and prepare for future endeavors. For example if you are taking a language class in the fall, why not spend the summer attending the free classes at your local library so you hit the ground running when the semester starts? You can also volunteer with various organizations to give back to the community or explore a previously dormant interest.

A well-spent summer should balance enjoyment and development seamlessly, leaving you better prepared for the future.

And who’s to say you can’t still live it up? Development and fun are not mutually exclusive as Sulieman comically stated,

“My two biggest worries are the failing Greek government and getting my body beach ready!”

Remember the old adage rings true: time wasted is never regained.

So don’t be that kid who comes back from summer the same person you were at the end of spring.

Terrance Ross is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about him here.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.