The weather is warming and the summer is approaching quickly. As we start gearing up for finals, AP tests, and the end of a long school year, there are several things each high school student should be doing to make the most out of their third semester: the summer.
Viewing the summer as a time to relax and lie on the beach is unfortunately not the best way to optimize your summer months. With college becoming increasingly more competitive each year, students need to plan out their summer activities to ensure they are actually developing their college acumen instead of just wasting some prime college prep time.
There are several very easy ways to get ahead during the summer, while also blocking off several weeks for relaxation. One of the easiest activities to knock out during the summer is volunteer work. Volunteering adds a lot to college applications, but it’s difficult to dedicate appropriate amounts of time when students are balancing school, sports, and extracurriculars. Many organizations open summer volunteer opportunities for high school students, and it’s always easy to find a group that genuinely interests your high school student. Finding an intriguing volunteer position makes it far more enjoyable and less painful than just partnering with the first volunteer group you find.
Another important summer activity, which has unparalleled value, is building SAT or ACT skills. There are several tests during the summer or in the first month of the fall semester (ACTs are offered 6/13, 7/18, and 9/12 while SATs are offered 6/6 and 8/19) so you should begin to prepare early in the summer. If you’re a student in the greater-Memphis area, Brains and Brawn is offering SAT and ACT bootcamps all summer long. Each are 1 week long, so sign up now to save $100.
A third important summer activity is finding summer internships. There are many internships, in many different fields, that are targeted directly at high school students. Most are very competitive, so you’ll need to submit applications after obtaining letters of recommendation from counselors and/or teachers. These deadlines are quickly approaching and some have already closed, but keep this in mind for next summer.
Finally, there is always value in finding a summer job. Not only do summer jobs teach responsibility and help develop a strong work-ethic, they also demonstrate a level of maturity that is unparalleled once students begin applying to college. You can make a bit of extra money to save for college, while learning a bit about the work environment.
If you’re concerned about making the most of your summer, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. It’s not only important to choose the right summer activities, but you must also track them correctly so you can prove the work you’ve done when you begin applying to college. Our team of experts can assist with this and make the process enjoyable.
If you’re interested in summer courses, connect with us by emailing me directly at Mark@brainsandbrawnllc.com today. We’re offering discounts for early signups today!
-Mark Wilson, Director of Curriculum Development & Design