How To Turn Summer 2025 Into Your Success Story Era
We all know that feeling when May rolls around and everyone posts their fancy internships and study abroad pics. Meanwhile, you're just trying to figure out how not to spend three months binge-watching that one show everyone's talking about on your FYP.
Don’t worry, we won’t let you rot away this summer. Whether you're searching for good summer jobs for college students or wondering what to do during summer break, we’ve got six ideas your future self will thank you for.
Find Your Dream Internship
2025 is all about finding internships that make you want to post those day in the life tiktoks—not for the clout, but because you actually love it. Sounds like basic advice, right? Well, here’s the key: you’re going to find an internship that lies right between your passions and your career goals.
Whether you're a foodie dreaming of an R&D internship at a trendy restaurant or a fashion girlie manifesting that social media role at a sustainable brand, there's an opportunity out there for you.
You can use LinkedIn (or trust ol’ Google) to search for keywords like "summer internship," "entry-level position," or "student program" + whatever makes you geek out. Remember, you don’t have to settle for the internship you think you’re “supposed” to get.
P.S If you’re short on time, don’t worry—we have an article on how to cram your college summer internship applications.
Join a Workshop or Course That's Been Living Rent-Free in Your Head
Time to dust off that Pinterest board full of random skills you've been planning to learn someday. Summer is the perfect time to finally figure out how to make those aesthetic ceramics in your bookmarks, or learn to code without your regular courses breathing down your neck.
Local community centers, art studios, and even universities offer short-term summer workshops. Into digital art? Platforms like Domestika have courses taught by actual pros. Want to learn a language? Instead of just having Duolingo guilt-trip you daily, join a language workshop where you can practice with other people.
Search for "summer workshops," "skill-building courses," or "creative classes" in your area and book TS.
Do Volunteer Work That Hits Different
Volunteering isn't just about padding your resume (though let's be honest, it doesn't hurt). It's about finding something that makes you feel like you're making a difference while gaining some serious life experience.
Are you the friend who can't stop posting about climate change? Environmental organizations need people like you for conservation projects. Always sharing posts about animal rescue? Local shelters are desperately looking for help during summer.
For the tech girlies, lots of nonprofits need help with their websites or social media. Look for opportunities using keywords like "summer volunteer positions," "summer community service," "summer nonprofit work," or "social impact."
Plus, volunteering usually has flexible hours, so you can still maintain your hot girl summer schedule while saving the world.
Secure That Fun Summer Job
Who says making money has to be boring? Forget another summer of changing tires or housesitting—theme parks are looking for staff, and summer camps are looking for their next personality hires.
If you're that person who's always organizing the group hangouts, event planning companies need your powers. If you love creating content, lots of small businesses need social media managers who understand what's trending. Search for terms like "seasonal jobs for college students," "summer staff," + something you enjoy. These jobs give you solid work experience AND stories worth sharing on your IG stories.
Knock Out a Few Credits
Taking summer classes online is the ultimate life hack. So before you head off for summer break, check if your college offers online summer classes for some subjects. You can knock out those annoying gen-ed requirements or prerequisite courses while chilling in your PJs.
Pro tip: Take those harder classes during summer when you can focus on just one or two subjects instead of juggling five. Plus, you're saving money on meal plans, dorm fees, and that overpriced campus parking pass. Your future self will thank you when you're not stressed about credits during senior year.
Still thinking about it? We’ve listed down the pros and cons of attending summer classes as a college student.
Launch Your Side Hustle Idea
Summer is the time to test your great business idea (if you’re sitting there thinking you don’t have one, you’re lying). Whether you're thinking of starting a Depop shop for your thrifted finds or monetizing your insane Excel skills by helping small businesses get organized—you’ve probably got an idea that could make you some money.
Even if it doesn't become the next big thing, you'll learn valuable skills in marketing, finance, and business management that look amazing on your resume. Who knows? Maybe your side hustle will take off, and you’ll return in the fall semester as a student entrepreneur.
P.S. You can apply to be a Fresh Prints Campus Manager—it’s not just a summer thing, you can make money and build skills all year!
And just like that, you’re officially not spending the whole summer as a human burrito, lost in the TikTok scroll. Even doing one of these things will make future you proud (and slightly less panicked when September hits). Good luck!