Eventually, it's the end of another school year. Some of you have made it through high school and the college admissions process, and now it's on to your college or university. Between now and then, though, lies summer. What to do?

For most of you, summertime is probably working time. If you're going to work, you most likely already have your job lined up. You may even be working one during the school year and will just keep on working through the summer.

If you don't have a job, it may be a little late to start looking for one after school is out. Most Students start their summer job search in the early spring, around March or April. That's when most businesses that depend on summer help start looking for applicants. Don't let that discourage you, though, but keep in mind the fact that the closer you get to summer, the more highly desirable jobs become more scarce, having already been picked off by early prospectors.

First, you can increase your frequency of quality reading. Emphasize the word "quality." Summer seems to invite students to turn off their brains and recline into three months of MTV, game shows, video games, and soap opera digest. Don't be one of those. Go to the library and check out some classics or some poetry. Stimulate your brain. Even if you can make it through only one good book this summer, you'll be ahead of the game.

Summer - it's a key part of the college admissions and paying for college process: You can earn money, knowledge, or--best of all--both.