How are you spending your summer?

[futurePhD]

For those of you entering a program this fall, how exactly are you spending your summer? My inclination is to take it relatively easy because the first year will certainly be rigorous enough. In addition to working a summer job, I will probably read a few books at a relaxed pace to make sure my mind doesn't go to mush. Is anyone doing something more substantial to prepare for their first year?

[GoodGuy]

After deciding NOT to take an intense Spanish course to prepare for ONE of the two languages I need to have for my degree, I figured I'd chill, leisurely read some books and articles by profs I'll be working with, and just ready myself for the work that'll be coming my way. Then I found out that the prof of a pro-seminar I'm taking in the fall has sent out a syllabus and assignment for the first day--a paper, a bibliography, and an oral presentation. So much for leisure. Yet in an odd way, I'm excited. After spending the last year teaching college students, I'm very ready to be a student again!

[a piece of bread]

Since I will be in Hungary for my second master by september, I plan to read several books in the field of Nationalism and Racism. In addition, I will be studying to improve my TOEFL and GRE scores. I am going to apply to PhD programs for 2010-2011 cohort. Therefore, I definitely need to increase them urgently.

We may share here any reading lists we have or specific books that seems useful for others? Particularly books in Near Eastern Studies, European History of 19th and 20th century will be appreciated!

[rwcole39]

Chinese language study in Taipei

[StrangeLight]

just rented an apartment in the city i'll be moving to. between now and august, i'll be reading books and articles, brushing up on two languages, and digging around in dirt for a bit of extra cash. i'm very excited about the dirt.

[thepoorstockinger]

Working in a call centre to pay for rent and groceries. Cooking and reading in my spare time. My reading list is mostly comic books and books on post-war US history, particularly Black Power and the New Left, as well as some historiography.

I am also working on an article for publication with a former professor and going to visit my soon to be new hometown in order to find an apartment. My advisor for next year is letting me and my partner stay with him and his partner which should be an adventure.

[synthla]

Closing on my new house, working full-time through August, moving to said house in the vicinity of school (i.e., dealing with movers and then driving 2000 miles), reading, foreign language study... and wondering when it's going to sink in that I'll be back in school full-time in 3 months! Very excited though!

[purplepepper]

I am watching TV, playing video games, spacing out, and eating ice cream. And I'm proud of it.

[sankd]

Trying to earn as much money as possible. I have enough money for next year but an extra couple thousand will make things comfortable.

[misterpat]

Hoping 2 commited students get off a waitlist at a better program or suffer nervous breakdowns, so that I may take their space.

Until then, reading and drinking heavily.

[Boogs]

I've been city and archive hopping in Latin America for the past month. I'll be here for another month. I'm doing the research for my senior honors thesis. I'll be writing it this coming semester and also applying to history PHD programs. As an added bonus my Portuguese has dramatically improved. My goal is to turn this project into my writing sample. We'll see how it goes.