- Houston, TX
With the school year coming to an end, summer is quickly approaching. While some students prefer to use summer as a break from responsibilities, summer is the perfect time to explore passions, gain life experience, and prepare for college. Here are a few summer activities to keep students productive before the next school year begins.
Get a job
One of the best summer activities is working at a job. Not only will this hard work look good on a resume, but it will also provide valuable experience for future careers. Jobs require commitment, responsibility, and patience, all of which are key life skills. A job also provides income which can be used for anything from savings to shopping with friends.
volunteer
Another important activity over the summer is volunteer work. Many schools require their students to complete a certain amount of volunteer hours in order to graduate, and summer is the perfect time to get them out of the way. Volunteering also provides one with the opportunity to serve a community, bringing people together and/or providing for those in need.
College courses
Taking college courses is a great way to continue learning while school is not in session. Many colleges provide free online courseware for students looking to expand their knowledge, such as MIT and Harvard. These free courses from prestigious colleges are a great opportunity to experience high-quality lessons that might not otherwise be available. Students can also enroll in summer college classes to earn credit, providing the opportunity to take higher-level classes earlier on or even graduate early in college.
internships/research
A more difficult yet highly rewarding summer activity is research and internships in a field of interest. There are numerous competitive programs that give students the opportunity to do research alongside professionals. Students can also contact local college professors asking to assist in research. This research allows students to explore and determine their interests before committing to a major in college. Doing research at such a young age will also boost one’s college resume because it shows commitment and high initiative, both of which are great qualities in a student.
college prep
A more straight-forward way to prepare for college over the summer is to complete necessary steps for the application process. Students can begin to build their college list, researching schools that may interest them. College visits can also be beneficial in determining which college best fits a student’s needs. Studying for and taking the SAT and ACT can be crucial in achieving one’s target score, an important part of any college application. Rising seniors can begin writing essays for their college applications, reducing stress for the upcoming school year.
These are just a few ways to stay busy over the long summer break. Keep searching for new activities and as always, stay curious!