Summer is a perfect time to relax and recharge, but it’s also a great opportunity for students to gain work experience, engage in enjoyable activities, and improve their chances of getting into a top college. While it might be tempting to spend the whole summer sleeping in and hanging out with friends, it’s also essential to use some of that time productively to prepare for your future. Engaging in summer activities can help you land a good job or get accepted into a prestigious college, and being productive doesn’t have to consume all your time or be dull!
Colleges and employers appreciate applicants who are driven and eager to learn. By staying active during the summer, you’ll demonstrate that you have what it takes to be a valuable addition to your school or workplace.
There are many ways for high school students to spend their summer. Here are some activities that are both useful and enjoyable.
Volunteering
Volunteering means doing work that helps others without getting paid. Knowing that you are making a difference can be added to your resume and college applications. You can find volunteer opportunities in many places like schools, animal shelters, nursing homes, museums, and more. Most of the time, you can volunteer close to home, but there are also chances to volunteer abroad during the summer. This can be organized through your school, religious institutes, or special programs.
Besides helping others, you can often pick volunteer work that matches your interests like working with kids, enjoying being around animals, or prefer outdoor activities. You can usually find a suitable volunteer role that matches your preference. You might also volunteer at a place where you hope to work in the future.
However, just a few hours of volunteering won’t impress colleges much. To make your volunteer experience stand out, you should stay at the same place for a long time, take on a leadership role, and show your passion and interests clearly.
Interning
An internship is a great way to dive into your dream job. Generally, an internship allows you to use what you’ve learned in school to solve real-life issues. There are internships in many fields, so it’s essential to decide what interests you. The primary goal of a student internship is to acquire useful work experience. To secure an internship, you usually need to complete an application process that may include writing essays, working on a project, obtaining recommendation letters, and possibly attending an interview.
You can find opportunities in places like museums, labs, companies, community projects, or many reliable online platforms. A great internship for school students is the Artificial Intelligence Internship Program, guided by a retired Senior Researcher from Oxford University. This program allows you to work on a project that meets Sustainable Development Goals and earn a valuable Letter of Recommendation, enhancing your student profile.
Another is the Space and Generative AI Internship Program specially designed for high school students. Students improve their chances for university admission by getting letters of recommendation from NASA’s former chief scientist. Working with PhD scholars enhances their profiles for top universities that appreciate practical experience. This internship helps students learn new skills and shows their commitment to exploring careers in the exciting areas of space and AI.
Apply early to improve your chances of getting a position that will enhance your college applications.
Summer Camp
Summer camps have evolved beyond just making s’mores and hiking in nature. Now, many summer camps for high school students focus on unique themes like cultural experiences, performing arts, wilderness skills, and more. Unlike regular extracurricular activities, summer camps provide a more intense and organized experience over a specific time frame, even if they cover similar topics like sports.
Students often join these camps to learn new skills or enhance existing ones. For instance, if you want to improve in a sport or start learning a new language, a summer camp can help you dive deep into that subject with fewer distractions and alongside peers who share your interests. Some programs even offer academic credit for coursework completed during the camp. Adding a summer program to your CV or personal statement shows that you are dedicated to learning beyond regular school hours and during the summer.
Conclusion
Summer is a perfect season for you to discover and create. Start by reflecting on your passions—whether it’s painting, photography, gardening, or writing—and identify skills you want to learn.
Consider local resources like workshops and community events that align with your interests. Connecting with like-minded individuals can enhance your experience and motivation.
Knowing what you need and what interests you is a good way to begin planning fun and successful summer activities!
