School is Out for Summer: 12 Ways to Make it Fun AND Productive

School is out—or almost out. Now is the time to plan a summer that is both relaxing and meaningful. Use your time to chill and invest in yourself and others. Not only will you feel good about yourself, but you will make meaningful memories and bolster your college resume. Summer activities abound, including, but not limited to: applying to college, volunteering, college visits, jobs, internships, reading, writing, online classes, research, summer programs, getting around to that to-do list, even picking up a new hobby.

ONE: College Applications and Admissions Legwork

Class of 2025: The Common Application essay prompts are confirmed. You can complete the Common Application anytime; it will roll over to the 2024-25 admissions cycle on August 1, when college applications go live. Mitigate senior year stress by completing as much of the college application process as possible before the end of summer vacation.

Class of 2026: Avoid a stressful and unfocused college admissions process by laying the groundwork this summer. Take the time to narrow down your interests, journal to learn more about yourself )identity, values, motivators, etc.) evaluate your college resume, make an SAT/ACT plan, and even visit a few college campuses—in person or virtually. Remember that some colleges consider demonstrated interest as part of their holistic review process. Click HERE for additional information on demonstrated interest. 

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate foresight and deliberation through strategic planning of your college admissions process.

TWO: Volunteer

Research shows multiple positive benefits of volunteering. People who volunteer are happier and feel more connected, less stressed, and more confident. Not only that, but volunteering gives you a competitive edge on your college applications and in your career search. Most importantly, you become a better person!

From soup kitchens to hospitals to animal shelters to places of worship to libraries, there are a myriad of teen volunteer opportunities in diverse settings. Reach out to your church, synagogue, or mosque. Contact your local library, humane society, museums, food banks, or soup kitchens. Google “teen volunteer opportunities near me.”

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate social responsibility and empathy by volunteering.

THREE: Get a job

There is nothing like a job to boost self-confidence and improve time-management skills in real-world settings. Given the national labor shortage and the “Help Wanted” signs I see everywhere, I see no reason why a teen who wants a job can’t get one.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate time management and independence by working.

FOUR: Internships and/or Professional Shadowing Opportunities

Although harder to come by than volunteer and job opportunities, teen internship programs exist. Check out the links below, use Google, and don’t be afraid to ask your parents for help connecting with professional contacts. You could also post what you are looking for on social media. Teens looking to learn more about specific careers can shadow professionals and/or conduct informational interviews. Click HERE for a list of internship opportunities for high school students.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate purpose and drive by exploring careers.

FIVE: Read

Even if you don’t love reading, find books that broaden your knowledge and challenge you to think. If you plan to apply to selective colleges and for competitive scholarships, the ability to talk in-depth about a book or books you have read – or listened to in audio format – will serve you well. Click HERE for a list of books colleges assign to freshmen and books I think are powerful. Note: some books have powerful content; please read reviews.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate literacy by reading

SIX: Write

Free writing, just a few times a week, will inspire deep thinking and creativity, promote self-awareness, improve writing skills, bolster writing fluency, boost self-efficacy for writing (the belief in one’s ability to write), and perhaps even sow the seed for a powerful college essay.

While you can write about anything that comes to mind, if you want a little inspiration or prefer a more structured approach—click HERE for a free copy of my Summer Journal, which includes a list of thought-provoking prompts in an easy-to-use electronic format to inspire your analytic and creative potential.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate introspection and creativity through writing.

SEVEN: Take a FREE online class

There are tons of quality FREE online courses or MOOCs on various topics, from guitar to Python to medical terminology to Japanese to mechanics to math to computer game development. Check out these links (Coursera, Udemy, & edX) and see what piques your interest.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate a thirst for knowledge by learning “just because.”

EIGHT: Research

Summer is a great time to explore an intellectual passion at a deeper level or devise a solution to a problem. Research can be as straightforward or complex as you want; it is up to you. If you live near a university or college campus, you may be able to find a faculty member who is willing to work with you. If not, use your imagination. Set a goal. Make it happen!

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity through research and problem-solving.

NINE: Finish that Project You’ve Been Working On

If your Eagle Scout, Gold Award, getting in shape, creating a LinkedIn account, cleaning up your online presence, or any other significant project has been on the back burner, use your summer vacation to get it done. Print out a calendar. Make a plan. Stick to it!

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate commitment and discipline by setting and meeting a goal.

TEN: Listen to Podcasts

There are so many cool podcasts out there. My favorites include Freakonomics: The Hidden Side of Everything, The Daily, Serial, and On Being with Krista Tippett. While these may be more appealing to older teens and adults, check out Talks by Brilliant Kids and Teens and 18 Killer Podcasts for Teenagers. If nothing strikes your fancy, just Google “podcasts on” followed by a topic of your choice.

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate curiosity by listening to podcasts.

ELEVEN: Make a Standardized Test Plan

Although Covid-19 changed the role of standardized tests in college admissions, submitting a standardized test score is still the smart move for many students. Even at test-optional colleges, a good SAT or ACT score is usually preferable to applying without one. Decide if summer is the time to jumpstart the process. Be strategic by determining whether the SAT or the ACT is the better-fit test. Many test prep companies offer free, full-length, proctored mock SATs and ACTs. Taking mock tests provides data about which test may be better for a given student (or, in cases where the scores are similar, which test the student prefers). We also use a one-hour MindPrint cognitive assessment to help determine which test will best match a student’s learning style. After getting your SAT or ACT score, weigh the pros and cons of submitting a test score (click HERE for helpful tips and talk to your college counselor).

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate forethought by avoiding intense test prep during the school year.

TWELVE: Enroll in a Summer Program

Summer programs can be expensive, but many offer scholarships. While many top schools flood email inboxes, including mine, with advertisements for summer programs, it is essential to understand that “pay-to-play” opportunities—that is, summer programs that are relatively easy to get into—generally do not bolster the likelihood of acceptance to highly selective colleges. That said, if you have the inclination and the means, go for it!

💡Expert Tip: Demonstrate critical thinking by weighing the pros and cons and attending summer programs.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Summer is the ideal time to evolve and grow and simultaneously bolster that college resume.

For more information on finding meaningful summer activities or anything related to the college admissions process, please feel free to contact me at  kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.