Parents often ask me how their high schooler should spend their summer months. Undoubtedly, families feel pressure for their child to engage in super- impressive activities like interning with Google, studying at an Ivy League university, or doing community service in a foreign country. Which begs the question: Is there a “right” way to spend a summer vacation?
There is no one correct answer, and there is certainly no need to do any of the above. Instead, how a student spends his summer depends on the student’s circumstances and goals. Let’s look at the possibilities:
Extracurriculars
Summer is the ideal time to pursue an interest further or experiment with something new that you’ve always wanted to try. Athletic, music, or art camp make perfect sense for you. Unlike the constraints of an over-scheduled school year, the summer allows the time to relax and engage in these pursuits.
Academic
You may want to challenge yourself academically, jump ahead a level in a particular high school course, or take a class in something your school doesn’t offer. If that’s a genuine interest, I’m all for it. Still, if it’s a college-level course you want, I recommend taking a class at a nearby state or community college rather than applying to an expensive college you think you’d like to attend in the future. First, you won’t gain any admissions advantage by doing so. Second, those courses are expensive and are more indicative of your family’s ability to pay than anything else. Taking an online course, like those offered through Coursera, is also a terrific way to explore a field. A word of caution: you want to do well in these classes since colleges will see your grade.
Job experience/Internship/volunteering
Gaining career-specific knowledge through an internship or the like is impressive. Still, such opportunities are close to impossible to come by as a high school student, so don’t be disheartened if they don’t pan out. However, you can increase your odds by checking with your teachers, community leaders, family friends, and local newspapers for leads. When I was in school, I learned about a local politician running for higher office through the local paper. I was so impressed with this candidate that I volunteered part-time on her campaign and found a part-time paying job to save for college. The volunteer work quickly morphed into a paying gig, and I developed deep and meaningful relationships through the experience.
Community service
Earning service hours over the summer means more time to devote to your academics or other pursuits during the school year. I recommend looking closer to home for these—colleges are not any more impressed that you traveled to some exotic locale to contribute your time. It also makes scheduling in other activities a little easier. If the service project connects to a particular interest of yours, that’s even better.
Paid work
I’m a big fan of working to earn money for college over the summer, whether by babysitting, lifeguarding, cashiering at a grocery store or busing tables, etc. These endeavors all build character and teach real-life skills, like the importance of showing up to work on time, going the extra mile in your job, and sticking with something even when it is not particularly fun or exciting. Starting a business doing something you are good at, like tutoring, coaching a sport, catering parties, etc., is another fantastic way to show initiative and showcase your talents.
The bottom line: you can spend a productive summer in lots of different ways that will look great on a college application (so long as you are not spending the bulk of it in front of a screen.) Just make sure you are pursuing an activity for the right reasons. And remember to make time for family, daydreaming, relaxation, and reading! You want to be refreshed and recharged when summer ends. The school year will come around sooner than you think.