If you had 6 months before starting a full time job...?

If you had 6 months (1 semester) off before starting your full-time job after college, what would you do with that time and why? -Get a part time job? Backpack Europe/Asia/South America? Go learn another languange? Go out every night? Study Abroad?
What are you glad that you did (or wish that you did) during/after college and would recommend after internship before full-time.

7 Comments
 

I'm a junior right now. I made a decent amount of money this past summer through my internship and was able to live at home and save it. This coming summer I'm interning at a BB. I'm hoping to save a decent amount of that too. Then I'll graduate early in December instead of May and I'm going to backpack Europe for ~80 days. I figure I'll have 5-6 months off before I start and this will kill just under 3. Not sure what I'll do for the remaining time though. Honestly, depending on when I get my sign on and how much, if any, savings I have left, I may try and travel again.

 

I am in a similar situation. Considering graduating in December but also have gotten a good amount of advice to extend college as long as possible and not be in a hurry to leave.

 

Travel. I'm on a similar boat but I've just been doing nothing and sleeping a lot. Will be traveling to Europe soon, though. Other than that, I've just been relaxing and taking it easy. Took up a very laid back finance internship in the meantime to cover basic costs/at least get some further experience. Also working out frequently and getting back into shape prior to starting FT.

Will probably regret not taking the time to go backpacking for most of this time, though.

 
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In all seriousness it depends where you are financially. If you really need to work then work. If you have ANY savings at all then I would suggest traveling either with friends / family or even by yourself.

You'll be waiting until retirement to get weeks and weeks off in a row. Spend what you have now while you're young and go see the world. This doesn't mean you have to blow thousands of dollars per location. Travel the states, visit family on a different coast, go travel internationally, hike, go north and spend time outdoors.

 

On the same ship as you right now... very grateful to have a job waiting for me in June but I am finishing up this semester in December.

I'm planning on participating in program for 21-35 year olds where they set you up with a host family for a couple of months. They pay for everything in exchange that you volunteer in a field other than what your background is for 30 hours a week. Pretty good chance to be able to get away from the spreadsheets and office bullshit for a while.

Definitely look for programs meant specifically for young professionals if thats something you're interested in. You get to travel with a group and have a chance to step out of your comfort zone for a bit while all your friends are cramming for exams. Take this time to relax because god knows when you start working, you're going to be day dreaming of having six months to yourself again with no real responsibilities.

 

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