By Tyra Vanriel

Whether you are a current or incoming student, I recommend that you take advantage of your summer to do things that are both fun and productive for your graduate school studies. I think it’s crucial to balance gratification from various summer activities while still preparing yourself for the intense semesters ahead. 

Take Summer Classes

If your program offers courses during the summer session, I highly recommend that you take advantage of this because it will lighten up your course load for the upcoming Fall and Spring. While the end of Summer A is quickly approaching, it is not too late to register for the Summer B session. Classes will begin on July 8th, and the last day to add or drop courses is July 15th.

This summer, as an M.S. Nutrition Education student, I am taking three courses during Summer Session A and one course during Summer Session B. While all of my classes are in person for Session A, my program is administering our Session B class remotely to give us the ability to attend class from anywhere around the world during the second half of our summer.

Although I will remain in New York for the majority of the summer, I appreciate the flexibility I will have for July and August. 

Internship/ Seasonal Job 

Completing an internship is an amazing opportunity to gain practical experience and incorporate the material you learned during the Fall and Spring semesters. This is also a great way to add relevant work experience to your resume.  

You can also utilize the summer to work a part-time job and save up some money for school expenses, especially if you have less availability to work during the Fall and Spring semesters.

You can access the career resources portal by logging in to your myTC portal, clicking on the Student Resources tab, and then navigating to “On-Campus Student Employment.”

For additional assistance finding internships or other work opportunities, please visit our TC NEXT webpage.

Museums 

Summer is a great time to visit different museums and see seasonal exhibits. If you’re in NYC this summer, I recommend participating in the Museum Mile on June 18th from 6-9pm. You can visit museums along the Upper East Side’s stretch of Fifth Avenue for free! 

If you cannot make it this day, remember that you can access a selection of museums using the museum passport sticker on your TC ID for free! If you need a museum sticker, please visit the Graduate Student Life and Development office. To see a list of participating museums, click here. 

Enjoy New Food Experiences 

As a nutrition student, I highly recommend exploring new foods during the summer! Whether it’s trying new seasonal fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market or enjoying a restaurant meal outdoors, there are so many ways to experience new foods in the city. Additionally, since you may be spending more time at home during the summer, I encourage you to try cooking some meals at home and finding recipes that incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you are not confident in your cooking skills, you can always take a class or follow along with a video.

Water Activities 

The summer is always an amazing time to enjoy water activities, such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, or going to a water park. If you are in NYC, you can enjoy free kayaking on the weekends and holidays at Hudson River Park, whether you are experienced or a novice. You can also go on a ferry ride in NYC for only $4 each way. City Experiences offers six routes that span over 60 nautical miles of waterways. 

Visit Parks 

Since the weather is beautiful, you can enjoy your workout routine outdoors. There are several parks to explore in NYC, each with unique features. You can enjoy running, jogging, leisure walking, or bike riding while appreciating the scenic view. I recommend having a picnic at the park; just bring a blanket, food, and the other essentials. I love to bring a book to the park to appreciate the fresh air and sounds of nature while reading. 

Relax 

Remember to include some time to relax and spend time with your family and friends! You should also take time to practice self-care, which can be different for everyone.

Despite which adventure you choose to embark on, I hope you have a fabulous and restful summer!