EDITORIAL: As semester ends, summer fun is not far behind
The semester coming to an end means that we will finally be able to relax and recharge
The last few weeks of April always signify the end of the semester. While that immediately means pressure surrounding finals and grades and the pressure to do well academically, it also means that summer is getting closer. Once we get through finals, we can begin those blissful few months without academic stress.
Even though we recognize how nice it will be not to worry about academics, not everyone has the same ability to enjoy a stress-free summer. We should aim to make downtime accessible to everyone.
Summer is a great time to relax, recharge and just reset. It is a time of year that college students do not have to worry about deadlines — it is a time we should use for ourselves and to pursue our own interests.
Of course, the summer is a long break, and you should try to take advantage of the time. Whether that means pursuing an internship for some professional development or taking summer classes, you can take advantage of the summer to advance your career prospects or advance toward your degree.
Internships must be mindful of students' need to recharge, and they must pay interns a fair wage. Just as companies must take the needs of interns into account, Rutgers must take the needs of students into account who sign up for summer classes.
Rutgers should offer more asynchronous classes in the summer so as to make them more accessible to more students. Additionally, tuition prices should be lowered to give all students, regardless of economic background, the opportunity to profit from a summer term.
Internships and summer classes as a whole should be more focused on becoming more accessible to as many students as possible — from all backgrounds. To accomplish this, they must prioritize giving fair pay, cutting down exuberant costs and simply caring more about students’ mental health.
Still, the summer should not only be about advancing toward your professional goals. The summer should also be a time to rest. Instead of doing academic things, it might be better to focus on an hourly job that gives you some extra cash to just enjoy the summer months.
These past few years have undoubtedly been challenging, and we all need time to process the shared trauma of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This summer, especially with our seemingly better position in returning to some degree of normalcy, could be great to prioritize ourselves — sleep in, see friends, go to the movies and be stress-free.
Since we live in New Jersey, we have access to some of the great cultural events of the summer. For example, in New York City, you can go see Shakespeare in the Park, which is a chance to experience the theater in Central Park with friends.
Especially as New York City comes back to life, Shakespeare in the Park is a great opportunity to experience the city and feel a sense of community.
We are also not far from the Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York City. This festival is a great way to go out with friends, listen to some great music and just enjoy the vibes of summer. It is nice to return to music festivals and feel safe — it feels like a fuller return to normal and we should embrace it.
In addition to those opportunities, we have easy access to the Jersey Shore. We should take time and just have some lazy days on the beach. The beach has countless activities, from sunbathing to exploring the boardwalk to swimming in the ocean: There are easy, fun things to do and recharge from a tumultuous semester.
Even more, if you are staying in New Brunswick or if you are near New Brunswick, you should explore the community and give back to the local economy. Many of the New Brunswick restaurants are still struggling from the pandemic, so we should try to give back.
One way you can stay involved and connected to the New Brunswick community is by continuing to follow and read The Daily Targum. As the Targum will be running this summer, we will keep you informed about what is happening around New Brunswick and around campus.
The Daily Targum's editorials represent the views of the majority of the 154th editorial board. Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.
