School is out—or almost out. Now is the time to plan so that your summer 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, working, internships, reading, writing, online classes, conducting research, summer programs, getting around to that to-do list, and even picking up a new hobby.
ONE: College Applications and College Admissions Legwork
Class of 2023: The Common Application essay prompts are confirmed. You can complete the Common Application any time; it will roll over when updated. College applications start going live on August 1. Mitigate senior year stress by completing as much of the college application process as possible before the end of summer vacation.
Class of 2024: Avoid a stressful and unfocused college admissions process by laying the groundwork. Take the time to narrow down your interests, evaluate your college resume, make an SAT/ACT test plan, and even visit a few college campuses—in person or virtually.
Demonstrate foresight and deliberation: be strategic in your college admissions process.
TWO: Volunteer
Research shows multiple positive benefits of volunteering. People who volunteer are: happier, feel more connected, less stressed and/or depressed, 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. Check out Volunteer Crowd for High School Students and Volunteer Crowd for Middle School Students. Reach out to your church, synagogue, or mosque. Contact your local SPCA. Google “teen volunteer opportunities near me.”
I LOVE the Volunteen programs in North Carolina. Check out the links below and note the upcoming deadlines for these competitive programs.
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Summer VolunTeen Program
- VolunTeen Program: ImaginOn
- UNC REX Volunteen Program
- Volunteens: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Demonstrate social responsibility and empathy: volunteer.
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.
Demonstrate time-management and independence: get a job.
FOUR: Internships and/or Professional Shadowing Opportunities
Although harder to come by than volunteer and job opportunities, internship programs for teens do 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 just looking for a way to learn more about specific careers can shadow professionals and/or conduct informational interviews.
- Microsoft Student Internships
- NASA Internships and Fellowships
- Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
- The Geosciences Bridge Program
- Smithsonian: Fellowships and Internships
Demonstrate drive and purposefulness: explore careers.
FIVE: Read
Even if you don’t love reading, find books that will 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 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.
Demonstrate literacy: read just for the heck of it.
SIX: Write
Free writing just a few times a week can 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), 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 for a free copy of my Summer Journal which includes a list of thought-provoking prompts in an easy-to-use electronic format that will inspire your analytic and creative potential.
Demonstrate creativity and introspection: write when nobody tells you to.
SEVEN: Take a FREE online class
There are literally tons of quality FREE online courses or MOOCs on a myriad of topics from guitar to Python to medical terminology to Japanese to mechanics to math to computer game development. Check out these links (Coursera, Udemy, & Edex) and see what piques your interest.
Demonstrate a thirst for knowledge: learn just “because.”
EIGHT: Conduct Research
Summer is a great time to explore an intellectual passion at a deeper level or come up with a solution to a problem. Research can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be; it is up to you. If 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!
Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity: conduct research and solve problems.
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 project that is important to you has been on the backburner, use your summer vacation to get it done. Print out a calendar. Make a plan. Stick to it!
Demonstrate commitment and discipline: meet a goal or reach a milestone.
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.
Demonstrate inquisitiveness: listen to podcasts.
ELEVEN: Make a Standardized Test Plan
Although Covid changed the role of standardized tests in college admissions, for some, submitting a standardized test score is still the smart move. After weighing the pros and cons of submitting a test score (click HERE for helpful tips & talk to your college counselor), 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: read How Do I Know if the SAT or ACT is Right for Me?
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 elite summer programs, there is no evidence that such “pay-to-play” opportunities do much to bolster teen resumes. That said, if you have the inclination and the means, go for it!
THE BOTTOM LINE
Summer is the ideal time to give back, earn some money, explore interests, and invest in yourself as a critical thinker and a learner. While you could sit on the couch and binge-watch your favorite shows or play video games, you will feel better about yourself if streaming and video games are the exception—not the rule—in your daily life.
For more information on finding meaningful summer activities or anything else related to the college admissions process, please feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.
Helpful Links
Class of 2023: 5 Steps to A Strategic College Applications Process
Creating the College List: Reach, Target, and Safety Defined
8 Tips for Completing the Activities Section of College Applications
Clueless About What to Major In? Three Simple Steps to Help Students get a Sense of Direction
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