Student Blog: Summer… What To Do?

It’s been three weeks since my summer break officially started. And I spent most of it on the couch with Netflix and mountains of snacks. I know what you’re thinking, “this girl is lazy!” But I’m still in my “revenge” period, so I let myself take a break for a bit. Besides, I still do productive things when my eyes are not glued to the TV. Let me explain.

I am a Radio Arts and Entertainment program student at BCIT, and my last semester was super hectic. How hectic you ask? Well, let’s just say that I once broke down in the bathroom after working on my podcasts for 12 hours straight. That’s what happens when you’re overloaded with assignments. 

From April to May, I was in the practicum period, and that meant that I had to work for the school radio, Evolution 1079. And it was crazy! I had only seven days to produce four podcasts, then another seven days to produce six PSA videos, then seven days to be on air delivering hourly news updates that I had to write myself. I could've done the bare minimum just to pass this practicum, but I can’t. I am a straight-A student, and I am also an artist. The perfectionist in me kept saying, “what’s the point of doing all this if you’re only half-assing it?” That’s why I refused to take breaks, because I was determined to use every waking hour to polish my work. On top of that, I was also working as a music teacher on the weekend. That’s why for a month, my life was basically just waking up, working on my practicum, teaching, going to the bathroom, eating if I remember, and sleeping when my body just can’t take it anymore. 

At the end of May, school was finally over. I let myself sleep in for as long as I could. Then when I woke up, I ate whatever I wanted, and binged my favorite series. It’s like revenge. I didn’t get to do that for the past month, so now I’m gonna. 

But after a couple of days, I started thinking, what will I do this summer? I know myself. I will enjoy this free time for a little while, but sooner or later, I will have that itch to be productive again. It’s a Type-A curse, really. So I made a list of possible things that I want to do this summer:

1. Work a summer job
2. Do summer internships/mentorships/programs in things related to media or arts
3. Make music
4. Volunteer at a local theater or festival
5. Take online classes 
6. Continue with my podcast or YouTube channel (or start new ones)

So for the past three weeks, I took a few hours from being a couch potato each day, and worked on my portfolio, resume, and cover letters to be sent to job openings and internship/mentorship programs. In addition, my friend who is a choir director asked me if I can make an arrangement for her choir concert, so I’m actually doing number three on my list while waiting for the response for my applications. 

And here’s the result so far. I haven't heard back about the job applications, and I was rejected from a very competitive internship. However, I got a mentorship at Rogers Sports & Media, and I also got the opportunity to blog for Broadway World! It sounds like it’s gonna be an exciting and productive summer. But I also promised myself to have fun. That’s why as I am posting this blog, I am in my tank top and shorts, ready for the beach. I surely won’t miss beautiful Vancouver during its best season. And that’s all that I can say for now, I’ll share more updates in my next post, hopefully with more great news. Enjoy the summer, hope your summer will be filled with fun and sun!