<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I was just curious to see what people who've gotten into grad schools/are going in the fall are going to be doing this summer. </p>
<p>I've suddenly realized that I have nothing planned for the summer and I was planning to relax but now I am wondering if that is the best option.</p>
<p>Hopefully grading classes for the first part of the summer, then being a residence counselor at a summer math/science camp for a month like I have the last 4 years, then I guess moving.</p>
<p>I also have hit the point where I have nothing planned for the summer and thinking about relaxing at home with my parents before moving away. </p>
<p>Relaxing also involves finding a new apartment in a new city, buying a car, buying apartment supplies, and getting things all straightened out before starting the PhD program in the fall. So I guess it's not as much relaxing as it initially sounds.</p>
<p>I haven't heard anything back from my programs. But, if I get in, I am taking a long overdue vacation. Maybe backpack South Africa. I don't have any plans, because I know I can't think that far ahead - but maybe its best to relax before graduate programs stress the hell out of us.</p>
<p>I'm actually two years overdue for this question, but what I ended up doing was working 40h/week at my BigPharma to save up $$$ for my move to New York. Some people are keen to take long backpacking trips and whatnot, but I was happy to continue with what I had -- doing work I enjoyed during the day, taking off early in the afternoons to go surf (San Diego), and hanging out in the evenings with good friends -- it was pretty much the best summer I could ask for.</p>
<p>Do whatever you want to do most. If you want to take a vacation, go for it. If you want to just relax, go for it. If you want to jump in and do an early lab rotation, look into that. (Incidentally, in my case I will most likely jump in and do an early rotation.) :)</p>
<p>I'm going to try to make as much money as possible.</p>
<p>just moving, mostly. i've got enough money saved to get me through the summer before my stipend payments start. also fixing up an article for publication. and doing some early reading to sketch out a thesis topic. that'll keep me plenty busy.</p>