[ad_1]
Summer 2022 is almost here – time to start planning! By laying out what you’ll be doing early, you’ll feel prepared knowing you have options for activities you can pursue this summer.
1. Talk to your advisor or mentor
Talking to your college advisor or mentor is the first step to take if you’re not sure what you want to do this summer. They can point you in the right direction based on your interests and maybe even refer you to a great program or internship they know of. If you’re looking to boost your extracurricular or academic goals this summer, they can probably help, and if you need additional feedback and ideas on what you could be doing in the months ahead, College Confidential may be a good resource. . They have loads of articles with tips and answers to all your middle school and high school related questions.
2. Voluntary
Find an organization that matches your goals, values and interests. If you love animals, volunteer at your local animal shelter. Log in and see which organizations around you are looking for dedicated volunteers like you. Not only are you giving back to the community, but you’re also building your college resume. Volunteer hours are important for colleges, and it’s more impressive when you work with just a few organizations during your high school career instead of accumulating hours from many different events and places.
3. Study for SAT
I know I know. No one wants to do schoolwork in the summer. It’s literally the most important school break of the whole year! But if you’re a junior or even a senior, studying for the SAT during the summer is imperative to get the highest possible score. This is the only free time you will have, because once school starts, you will find yourself unable to set aside time for study sessions. Here is a good SAT study program by Khan Academy in partnership with CollegeBoard.
4. Apply for a program
This can be anything from a ballet summer intensive to an academic summer program at an Ivy League school, whatever interests you. By investing a week or more in one of these summer programs, you can demonstrate your passion and dedication to your skills, as well as the time and effort you are willing to put into them. They can be a bit pricey at times, but luckily most summer programs for high school students also offer financial aid. To get the brainstorming started, CollegeVine has a list of free summer programs available for high school students.
5. Get a hobby
Now is the time to develop new skills and interests! Try skateboarding, work on your artistic skills, or even bake. The world is your shell. Wikipedia has a giant list of hobbies if you’re not sure what to try. It’s good to start developing interests and hobbies as they can lead you to more opportunities such as extracurricular activities. By picking up a new hobby, you might meet new people, develop new skills, and maybe even discover a hidden talent. It’s also fun to try new activities and experiment with new hobbies, so enjoy it while you can!
6. Follow a professional
Do you have ideas about the career you would like to pursue? If you do, try to find someone you can watch out for in this area. Family members and friends can usually help you find connections to your career dreams. Otherwise, cold calling will work, but be prepared to ask a lot of people. By following a professional, like a doctor, you can learn more about their career path and decide if this is for you.
7. Passionate Project
A passion project is anything you are passionate about, hence the name. These are projects that have impressive end results. Here are some examples :
- Publish research or participate in college-level research
- Write a novel
- Produce a film/short film and submit it to a competition
The possibilities are limitless! Supertutor has an article on passion projects. It is very useful to read!
8. Apply for scholarships
Now is the time to start applying for scholarships, whether financial aid or merit scholarship. Many scholarships require lengthy applications and essays to apply, so summer is a great time to start planning and preparing while you have the time. Unigo is a great website for finding scholarships – they probably have every conceivable opportunity listed! With this website, it is quite easy to find a scholarship that matches your demographics.
9. Have fun and relax
Don’t get too stressed out trying to plan the rest of your high school career. Enjoy the break and live in the moment.
I hope this list has helped you get an idea of what you can do this summer! Remember to start researching these opportunities now. If you’re still looking for more information on what to do this summer, here’s a great video from SupertutorTV on activities you can do this summer to impress colleges and better prepare you for the upcoming school year. Good luck!
