So I've noticed a pattern developing since I've started college. I'm about to finish my Sophomore year of college, and I've noticed that during the school year, I tend to get super stressed out which often leads to me feeling depressed. The level of depression varies, but it's always somewhere in the back of my mind. But then once the summer starts, I get bored out of my mind which also leads to depression.

It was especially bad last summer, when I was unsuccessful in my job search and wasn't really able to coordinate get togethers with friends. I sat around at home doing nothing all summer, pretty much. Right now, I still have 3 finals to take before my summer break officially starts. But I shouldn't have to study much for any of them and my first one isn't until Wednesday. Basically, it's like I get a mini vacation before my summer vacation. But rather than looking forward to the relaxation time, I absolutely dread it and know I'm probably going to be bored out of my mind. This summer I'm hoping to find some volunteer work but I just don't really feel like putting much effort into searching for opportunities.

I guess the point of this thread is just what can I do about this? I know that if I do nothing again all summer I'm going to hate it, but I can't seem to find the motivation to really put an effort at finding something. Next school year I'm really hoping I can break the pattern, get more involved in student organizations, and hopefully stop feeling so depressed or at least make myself just busy enough that I can distract myself from feeling depressed without burning myself out. I really, really believe that I can do that next school year. But this summer...I just don't know about that