This semester, we have written about many important topics, including Fordham University’s guest pass policy, rising college costs and Fordham’s Graduate Student Workers union. Our goal throughout the semester has been to bring a thoughtful and considerate perspective to the Fordham community, and we will strive to continue this goal in the fall. Since this is the last editorial of the semester, we wanted to set our sights past finals and write about the summer.
When we were kids, summer was a time of no responsibilities. It was a break from sitting in class five days a week for months on end. You could spend the whole day outside playing tag with your friends or hanging out inside your living room playing Mario Kart. Once the summer was over, you would feel recharged and ready to return to school. As we get older, our summers change, and we become busy with jobs and internships. While we may be busier, taking advantage of the extra time summer break provides us is still important. That is why we encourage our readers to make the most of your summer.
One way to do this is by simply relaxing. Go lounge on a lawn chair by the pool or soak up the sun at the beach. Another way to relax could be to sit in a cafe and have an iced coffee. Go to a movie theater playing the latest summer blockbuster. Find a bookstore and search the shelves for a good book. A nap can also be a great way to relax. You may find none of these options appealing, and that’s okay. The great thing about relaxing is that it’s completely subjective. You can do it in whatever form you like. While people promoting today’s hustle culture may roll their eyes at the idea of relaxing, it has real health benefits. Relaxing has been found to improve concentration, lessen frustration and promote emotional well-being. Resting during break will help you get back in the groove come the fall semester.
Another way to recharge is by taking some time to learn new skills and ideas. During the school year, there is little time to focus on learning anything other than what is taught in our classes. Summer presents an opportunity to take extra time to learn outside the classroom. One of the unique things about the Internet is that it is very easy to find websites with free classes. Many famous American universities, such as Yale University and Harvard University, offer free online courses on their websites. With more time on your hands, it could be a good time to find a class on one of these websites and check it out. However, watching an online lecture is not the only way to learn new things. YouTube has many videos that you can watch to learn skills. Maybe you wanted to learn how to cook a dish during the school year but didn’t have the time — use the extra time to find a video and learn how to cook that recipe. As long as you’re curious, you can find a way to learn something. Once you get back to Fordham, you can show off your new skills and knowledge to your friends.
If you have enough time this summer, try to travel. What is great about traveling is it helps you learn more about the world and yourself. It exposes you to a new perspective, which can help you think differently. There are so many places you could travel in the world that it can feel daunting to pick a place to go. Nevertheless, traveling does not always mean visiting the other side of the world. There is probably an area near your home that you have always wanted to visit but never had the time. Take the time this summer to see it. We doubt you’ll regret it. Hopefully, you will return to Fordham with a fresh perspective.
Finally, we urge all our readers to challenge themselves to do something new this break. It’s easy to stick with the same routine, especially during a busy semester. Summer presents an opportunity to shake things up and try something new. Doing this will enrich your summer, and you’ll be back at Fordham in the fall with new stories to tell. Good luck with finals, and have a great summer.
