Student Success Planner

You made it! Well done, UMass. 

Now comes what people often forget about: the transition from 100mph to zero is harder than it sounds. Going from finals week to summer break in 48 hours can feel disorienting, even when it's exactly what you wanted. Your brain has been running on adrenaline and structure for months. When those disappear, a lot of us end up drifting for a bit. 

Sitting on the couch during your free time for the first week of break is acceptable and probably necessary. But if it's your strategy for the entire summer, time will quietly slip away, and you'll arrive at August wondering where it went.

The Big Two Rule

You don't need a packed summer schedule. You don't need a five-point productivity system. Sometimes something as simple as a two goal plan is sufficient.

One Professional Goal: Something that helps Future You. It doesn't have to be impressive. It just has to be real. Update your LinkedIn. Read three books in your field. Apply to one internship. Learn one new skill.

One Personal Goal: Something that makes you feel like a whole person outside of academics. Train for a 5K. Learn to cook five new meals. Take a day trip somewhere you've never been. Read for pleasure, just because you want to.

Write both of these down somewhere you'll actually see them. Not on a to-do list that gets buried. On a sticky note, in a journal, on your phone — somewhere visible. Then actually do them. You'll feel great about it. 

Also, have a happy summer! We look forward to seeing you in the fall. 

May Takeaways