Come summer break, many high school students are unsure of how to fill so much time on their hands. You just finished finals, maybe some AP exams, it’s the start of the summer and you finally have the opportunity to catch up on all the sleep you lost. It’s no secret that it can be difficult to remain productive when your rhythm is thrown off balance without five days of school every week. Well, the truth is that you can be both lazy and productive. Each school year comes with its own unique stressors, so here are a few tips and tricks to stay in the game whilst enjoying your summer break each year of high school.
Post freshman:
Take an online course. You can get a high school credit out of the way like P.E. or economics. You can also look for a summer college course to simply explore a field of study and gain experience to put on your resume. Many community colleges and universities offer free classes to do just that.
Now is a fantastic time to get driver’s education out of the way too. I did a two week in-person class before I was old enough to get my permit. With more free time on your hands, get it done whether it’s virtual or in person.
If you haven’t done much regular volunteering, give it a try. If you choose to apply to the National Honor Society your junior year, you’ll log all of the volunteer hours you’ve completed in high school, so now is a great time to start. If you are unsure where to begin, you can also plan and execute a volunteer project of your own design.
Post sophomore:
Get a job. Yes, you do have time for a job even if you don’t think you do. You can find opportunities even if you’re fifteen or sixteen. To start, some popular ideas are becoming a camp counselor, lifeguard, coach (or getting more involved in your sport), barista or a host/hostess. If you’d like to see more local opportunities then check out the Arlington Teen Summer Job Fair at Thomas Jefferson Community and Fitness Center Saturday, March 29th. You can find more information on the event here.
Start thinking about standardized testing. The perfect time is now to figure out if you want to take the SAT or ACT and when. If you’d rather take them earlier your junior year then you should use this time to start studying.
The summer post sophomore year is another great time to get another online course out of the way if you haven’t already. If you’d rather have a more hands-on academic experience, enroll in an academic camp through a college or university to explore a field of study, build your resume, and start thinking about what you want from a school.
Post junior:
Here is when people tend to look more seriously for academic camps, internships, shadowing experiences, or any sort of academic/ professional learning opportunities. This is most likely your last major opportunity to do so, so take advantage of any opportunities that appeal to you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and reach out to a professional mentor to get experience, even if they’re a stranger.
This is also a great time for college tours, especially further out of state schools that may be harder to travel to during the school year. Just keep in mind that not every undergraduate student will be on campus during the summer. While you won’t get the same feel for campus and the student body as you would in the fall, summer college visits allow you to see firsthand any internship, research or other academic opportunities that that school offers in between semesters that many students look for in a school.
Finally, you are officially entering the college admissions process. By the time you take your last final of junior year you should receive an official timeline from your school counselor to help keep yourself up to date with your college application account(s) and letters of recommendation. After making your application accounts you can begin to add colleges you plan on applying to. By August and September your college search should be wrapping up. While it is nearly impossible to have all of your college supplementals drafted, edited and finalized, it’s a good idea to at least draft your main personal statement. You will have yourself to thank in the fall.
Post senior:
Congratulations. You can finally take a deep breath.
In terms of college, due dates may vary per school but your housing contract and roommate should be officialized by the start of the summer. Rising freshmen will also schedule their first semester classes and put their schedule together. Many students opt to meet members of their incoming class via social media prior to their move in date. Finally, don’t leave packing for the night before the move in date. It is helpful to make a list of essentials to ensure you forget the least amount of necessities as possible. You can also begin shipping your belongings as the move in date nears if applicable.
More importantly, make a bucket list. This is arguably the final and most important summer of your young life. Spend it how you want to, and cross off every item. Many high school graduates carve out time for traveling. One highlight is the annual beach week that many kids choose to participate in post senior year. Whether you choose to travel or not, the big idea is spending time with your friends and family, and making the most of the final summer of your childhood.
