Four Ways Upper School Students Can Make This Summer Count
5/20/19
Summer Planning for Upper School Students
Contact our Admissions team today at 1-800-377-5890 to learn more about how a summer course can work for your family.
After a productive school year dedicated to academic pursuits, it can be awfully tempting for students to spend the summer relaxing, hanging out with friends and family, and not thinking about mathematical equations and scientific theories. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, summer is the perfect time to recharge your brains.
Summer also happens to be a great time to for upper school students to continue to build on and add to an activities resume. A student's experience will be carefully considered by college admission departments seeking well-rounded applicants.
When considering summer plans, high school students and their families should consider what is necessary (such as a summer job or family agendas), as well as what they enjoy doing. To get the conversation started regarding what this summer will have in store, here are four ideas about how high school students can make the most of time between enrollments.
1 | Consider a Summer Job
Teens who work during the summer report an increase in their understanding of personal responsibility, independence, and accountability. A summer job has other benefits like introducing students to new skills that can influence what career path they follow later in life, and it’s also a great way to meet potential new friends and activity companions. It should be said, of course, that a summertime job allows students to reap the valuable financial rewards of a job well done, which can go a long way in paying for a car or future college expenses.
2 | Identify Volunteer or Internship Opportunities
Students who already have a strong area of interest may want to engage in volunteer activities or an internship that can provide a valuable experience that can expand their understanding of a particular field of study. Knowing what you don’t want to do can be just as important as knowing what you do what to do. Volunteer and internship positions are risk-free ways for students to learn what potential careers would (or would not) interest them.
3 | Get Ahead Academically
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This option requires some forward thinking. Although taking another class may not be at the top of a student’s list of things to do this summer, accelerated summer courses are a great way for making their 2019/20 school year more manageable. Students may consider enrolling in a summer course in a subject area they find challenging, which will allow them to make it their sole focus. On the other hand, they may choose a course that covers an area of interest, which will make it easy to stay motivated.
Whatever the reason for taking a summer course, be purposeful in choosing which course would be the best option. You can view Laurel Springs School’s 2019 Summer Course Catalog to our many dynamic options. Our summer courses are student-centric, so assignments can be completed regardless of travel, work, or other summer activities.
4 | Visit Colleges
While summer may not seem like the most ideal time to visit to go visit colleges, as campuses will be lacking their typical hustle and bustle, there are many benefits for planning college visits during the school break.
First, the school year is usually a busy time for both parents and students, with coursework, extracurricular activities, jobs, social obligations, etc. The summer allows for more relaxed college visits that allow families to take their time to tour the campus, meet faculty and staff, and get a real sense of what it would be like to attend school here. Similarly, those same faculty and staff members are more accessible during this time and will have more time to spend with you. It’s also important to keep in mind that fewer students visit colleges during the summer, which means your tour can be personalized to your interests.
High school students can begin by visiting the campuses of colleges that are local to them. These casual, unofficial visits can consist of walking through campus and observing student life. For rising juniors or seniors, plan official college visits based on a list of colleges where the student plans to apply. Call ahead to find out about campus tours, and make an appointment to visit with an admissions counselor. College visits allow students to get a feel for the type of school environment that is a good fit.
Because high school students may have a very busy schedule during the traditional academic school year, it is important to incorporate time with friends and family when planning what to do during the summer. As students become experts at balancing coursework, social activities, work responsibilities, and college plans, summer can be the ideal time to strengthen those skills in a more relaxed setting.
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