While some students take a break from classes this summer, there are many ways they can use the time to their advantage to not only prepare for a successful year head and plan for the future, but also to take a mental break and re-charge. Check out our “summer checklist” of things to consider and discuss with your student over the next few months.

• Reflect. Summer is a great time to reflect on the past academic year. Ask your student what class they enjoyed the most (or least) and why. What accomplishments are they most proud of from the past year? If certain things didn’t go as they had hoped, how could they have approached them differently? How can they get involved within the UP community to take full advantage of their time on The Bluff while developing their heart, hands, and mind?

• Explore majors. Has your student yet to choose a major or are they considering changing a major? Summer is a good time for students to explore their options. If your student is considering a new major or career path, you can encourage them to check out these great resources provided by the Career Education Center.

• Explore careers. The Career Education Center is here to help if your student needs assistance searching for a job, networking, navigating LinkedIn, preparing for an interview, or negotiating a job offer. They are available virtually by phone or video chat. Students can continue to schedule their appointments throughout the summer via Handshake or by calling the Career Education Center.

• Make a 4-year plan. Students can work with their advisor or on their own to think about what they can do over their remaining time at UP to graduate on time and set themselves up for success after graduation. A great place to start is the Career Education Center’s Pilot Map resource. It is not merely a “To Do” list of items to check off – rather it is a customizable plan that enables your student to tailor their plan and engage with resources (people, places, activities, etc.) that will support their goals. 

• Prepare to manage health care. Before heading back to campus, it will be important for your student to be prepared and equipped with the information they need should any health issues arise. Do they have a copy or picture of their up to date health insurance card? Are their vaccinations complete and up to date? Do they know how to look up in-network care with their health insurance in the event they need care in the Portland area? A great first step is creating a list of wellness resource contacts so they have them on hand when they may need them. This could include their mental health provider, primary care office, UP Health & Counseling Center phone number, as well as parent or other support person information.

• Prioritize self-care. Self-care means something different for everyone, but before your student jumps into another busy academic year, it is important that they take time to reset and re-charge, whether that is setting aside time each day to read for fun, do something active outside, or work on arts and crafts.

• Expand your network. No matter where students live, they can connect to Pilots through UP’s online community, Switchboard. Many students reach out to alumni for advice on graduate school, finding a place to live, or advice in a particular field of work.

• Build employable skill sets online. Although in-person internships and jobs are returning, your student can still utilize free or low-cost online resources to build employable skills!