With summer right around the corner, high school students are ready for a break from all the studying they’ve been doing. And they deserve it! Though, while having fun during the summer is allowed, high school students should also consider advancing their skills and mindset to potentially get ahead for the next year or for college!
There are many different ways to turn your summer into a productive one. We have some of the best ways how to spend your summer. These are some of the ways to increase your chances of getting into the college of your dreams. Let’s go through the 5 different ways to enhance your summer.
5 Productive Ways to Spend Your Summer
Enjoy your fun in the sun, but also think about your future and how you can get a jump start on extracurricular activities that will impress colleges. These are important if you are looking into getting into the college of your dreams. Now let’s jump into the 5 ways to make your high school summer more productive.
Get An Internship
Looking into summer internships is a great way for high school students to gain work experience and you can add this sort of experience to your college application. There are certain rules that companies have to follow, so do your research and make sure you have the right qualifications to apply for a summer internship. Most companies can’t hire students under 16 years of age.
Double-check with your high school guidance counselor or even your parents to help you find an internship that you are interested in. With an internship, you will be gaining real-world experience, skills, and the chance to build up your network in the job industry.
Volunteer
Volunteering experience is one of the best things to add to your college application. It shows that you are helping build up a community and are on a path to self-growth. This is something that can be easily completed as a high school student. You can spend a couple of hours a week volunteering during the summer and still have plenty of free time to have fun in the sun.
Volunteering is also a great way to build leadership skills and get hands-on experience under your belt. It is essentially the same principle as having a summer job or internship.
Get a Summer Job
That brings us to the next opportunity on how to make the most out of your summer. Spending time working a summer job can help you save money for college, and you will quickly learn how to work with a team.
Getting a summer job is the first step towards your independence. Not only are you earning money, but you are building yourself a successful resume for future employment. Having a job helps you navigate social skills, time management, and more responsibility.
Study Abroad
This isn’t very common, but being able to study abroad while you are in high school is an experience like no other. This means you’ll be able to explore the world, and different cultures, and enhance your education all at once. Not only will you have a new, life-changing experience under your belt, but colleges love to see these types of experiences in your application.
These kinds of experiences are perfect for future resumes and your college application because they show that you are independent, motivated, and comfortable in new environments while meeting new people.
Take Pre-College Courses
The last and most important thing you can do with your high school summer is to enroll in college courses. There are tons of different programs that local junior colleges can offer high school students for the summer. They are considered advanced education courses and most high schools also give you credits to graduate as well.
Not only are you staying ahead in your academic career, but you are also already earning college credits that can be transferred to the degree that you are interested in when you go off to college full-time.
How to Have a Fun Summer in High School
Worrying about school and work all summer isn’t something that you want to put on yourself. It is also important that you focus on your happiness and mental health. There are five different ways to ensure that you have a happy and positive summer along with a productive one. These are the five elements that can contribute to a well-balanced and happy life.
Positive Demeanor
Your outlook on situations is going to drive the experiences and emotions that you feel. It’s important to live your life with compassion, love, joy, and cheer.
Engagement
When you are engulfed in something time flies for you. Especially if you are focused and working hard. If you are working on something that you actually like to do then time ceases to exist.
Relationships
Another thing that will drive your happiness up is the engagement in your relationships. Whether you are spending quality time with a person or building up your network, do it with confidence.
Meaning
Having purpose and meaning for your actions is important. Make sure that what you’re doing has the intention of accomplishing a greater goal. You want to always be working towards something that will make you happier in the long run.
Accomplishment
Reaching completion of all your goals. This is important to your happiness because you will feel the achievement and accomplishment of completion. Once you get another step closer to your goals, your happiness will skyrocket.
Keeping all of these key elements in mind means you are one step closer to understanding how to have a fun and productive summer. Don’t forget to keep your goals in mind!
Key Takeaways for Summer Enhancement
These are some of the best ways to take advantage of your summers while you are in high school. Brighten your community by volunteering, getting a local job, or continuing your academic studies at a junior college. The bottom line is that you can always be doing more with your time. Spend it wisely while you are also fitting in some fun time in the sun with your friends and family.