Considering Academically Productive Summer Activities?
Summer is a great time to focus on the things that you don’t have time to do during the school year. While there can be so much pressure surrounding how you spend your summers, and we don’t recommend stressing– an appropriate amount of relaxing is encouraged–, we do push students to consider the fact that colleges will be looking at how they spend their summers and whether or not they’re furthering their interests. They don’t care whether you attended the fanciest summer program, but they do want to see that you’re engaged and haven’t fallen off the face of the Earth every summer!
That being said, we often have students ask us what they should be doing to have an academically productive summer, and that’s the very question we’ve written this blog to address. Here are five suggestions from the Marks Education Counseling Team on how to have a fun and productive summer:
- Time to give back:
Summer is a great time for service work. Wondering what to do? Look for opportunities that link with your current interests and activities: find a way to use a second language, for example, or share your passion for technology, or a favorite sport. There are numerous service learning experiences available that can have a meaningful impact, but volunteering close to home is also an excellent opportunity to get to know your community in a new way. You may find you love it so much, you keep it up year-round!
- Supercharge your extracurriculars:
You might like to take advantage of summer to focus on a specific athletic interest, debate, or any other extracurricular activity you enjoy. At a summer camp or institute centered around a specific topic of interest, for example, you can sharpen your skills, learn from new coaches or teachers, and form lifelong friendships. Be sure to discuss possibilities with your current coaches or teachers, as they may have valuable insights into what could be the best fit for you.
- Leadership and ownership:
A job or internship can provide an opportunity to take responsibility, learn, and grow. A “regular job” can expose you to different people and environments and might even provide great material for your college essays. Internships can be extremely valuable experiences, too, but it’s important to seek out one that includes substantial work—responsibilities that go beyond filing, making coffee, and “shadowing” a professional.
- Test drive or deep dive:
Many universities offer academic programs in the summer, both residential and nonresidential. These are a great way to get a feeling for college life so you have a better idea of what you like when researching schools. Some programs offer a range of courses, allowing you to try out subjects that you might like to pursue in college. Other programs have focused institutes on a particular topic, so you can dive into a specific subject that interests you. It’s important to note that attendance at a college program won’t raise your chances of admission at that school, but you’ll gain perspective for your college search and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- Recharge and have fun:
Most importantly, be sure to save time to visit family, travel, and just relax! As you’re considering your summer schedule, a reasonable amount of test prep (the summer before 11th grade) or college essay work (the summer before 12th) can help you get ahead, but at the same time, don’t overwhelm yourself. It can help you feel less stressed during the school year to get these tasks out of the way, but it can also leave you feeling drained if you push yourself too hard over the summer.
In any case, here’s to the best summer ever! Thanks for considering us for your summer activities!
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