dude, just fart away your summer.

pick up a new hobby, go to the beach, surf, go fishing, learn a musical instrument, drink beers, go for hikes, catch up on some books, go see some new movies, etc.

life's much too short!

Double what Chris said

one more question

i asked the company I currently work at... if they can pay me as they would pay a person with a pre-professional degree, between my graduation day and 'till I am off to grad school.

they sent me email this morning... (taking a week off for school presentation)... since I am working there 'till summer, my salary would not be equal to that of a person who would be
working there full time. they offered me slight pay raise that I am not honestly satisfied with.

They say they are pleased with my works and would like to keep me.
they know I come to work 5~10 mins earlier when most of young full-time interns come 5~10 mins late. I believe I've built nice relationship with them for past 2 yrs. and now I am kinda hurt.
I was expecting them to be generous. I was naive.

I was thinking about keeping good relationship with them so I can work for them during winter and maybe summer. and I don't want to look for a new job (new relationship) that only lasts 2~3 months.

two of full-time interns are quitting this week, and they have several projects due at end of may. so they wouldn't want to lose me somewhat.

i will appreciate if anyone give me word of wisdom or past experience.

Do absolutely nothing. Enjoy the last summer vacations of your life. not to sound like a downer, not the drug

i would look for a new job, maybe even a non-architectural one - work 25 hours outside in the sun - enjoy your time and relax.... maybe do a small competition for fun + everything Cris said...

also, i speak from experience, be catious about becomming married to this firm, you may easily get sucked in and wake up 10yrs later to find yourself still there...

the 2-3 month internships at a variety of firms / types of firms will be more benefitial to your future than anything you will do at the firm you are comfortable with

leave the firm and work a part time job, close to home, pref no night, and def no weekends. Drink, go to the beach, hang out with your friends (which you may not see again if you're moving somewhere else for grad school). If you already have a descent amount of intern experience under your belt, then don't bother using this last 3 months of experience.

However, I don't know how your financial situation is. Do you need this job to pay rent and get by for the summer? Unless their raise is pushing you up to or beyond $15/hr, dump them. How long have you been with this firm? 6 months perhaps? that's a good stint for an intern who was still in school. Enjoy your last summer ever.

Go to the Dells, visit Noah's Arc, America's Largest Waterpark! Or how about the Tommy Bartlett Show? I always liked that!

Actually go white water rafting in Northern WI! Best rafting in your region. Now is the best time too, as the waters are at their highest. I can give you some good suggestions for camp grounds/rafting co. too if you're interested.

i've been working there 1.5 years.
and they are offering $12 per hour during summer.
now i said it
i am embarassed.

i was getting paid $10.75.
it was much less than what my class mates usually get paid
(usually $12 per hour in suburb)
however, I just focused on getting more experience. so I didn't bother complaining myself about money. plus, they were understanding whenever I was busy with school.

I was planning to save money during summer,
so I could be less dependent.

first, if a firm can classify you as an "intern" then they can pay you shit, don't be embarassed, we've all been there. They won't give you a good enough raise cause you're leaving soon. So it comes down to do you wanna save money, or do you wanna be a bum for the summer. From personal experience, I had wished I chosen the bum part (although the experience certainly helped me).

I used to go on school field trips to Noahs Arc as a child and it was thoroughly disturbing. Wisconsin, home of cheese curds, beer brats and old milwaukee is also home to america's largest water park...

Three years ago, I took a job at a rad urban design firm as an intern. They paid me $6.50 an hour. Considering inflation, that comes to be about $7.31 per today's standards.

There is nothing to be embarrased about with $12 an hour.

If you have the funds, spend some time travelling and get inspiration by visiting cool buildings around the world.

a agree with medusa

i just got back from a trip to seoul and tokyo. it was a gift to myself for finishing grad apps. it was incredible-- to see first hand the density of gangnam and all the flagship stores in omotesando and ginza--tods, prada, mikimoto was invaluable. this summer ill be on a three week road trip around the states which should rid me of the rest of my savings. then i can dive into debt cash free.