What High School Students Can Do Over the Summer

There are so many options for summer activities, no wonder it can be
difficult to know where to begin. While reviewing how IvyWise students
have spent their summers, I noticed that their plans fell under six basic
categories. I included the a few examples in each category to help you
get started.

1. Make a Difference

Community service is always a valuable endeavor, and the summer is a
wonderful time to make a difference in your community. One IvyWise
student spent two summers in high school traveling to India, where she
worked to improve the environment of a local community where she had
family. Another IvyWise student worked full time with children with
disabilities.

2. Explore a Career

High school is a time to begin exploring possible careers for later in life.

This is especially true for juniors and seniors who may want practical
work experience before deciding what to study in college. One IvyWise
student knew she loved discussing movies with her friends, but had no
formal experience in the film business. Therefore, she used the summer
before her junior year of high school to intern with an independent film
company. Doing so gave her the practical experience that helped her
realize that she did, in fact, want to study film in college. As a visual artist
also interested in business, another IvyWise student decided to spend
the summer before his senior year in college working for an advertising
firm. Over the summer he realized that advertising was not the
profession for him. Eliminating a career possibility brought him a step
closer to discovering what he truly enjoys.

3. Follow a Passion

One IvyWise student just loved biology. He took every possible science
course available in his large high school, but it never seemed to be
enough. Therefore, he decided to spend his summer doing research
with a professor at a university well known for its strength in the
sciences. He was able to spend most of the summer doing cancer
research, and included a summary of his work in his college
applications. Another IvyWise student had a passion for all things
French. Therefore, she spent the summer before her junior year of high
school in France, studying the language, teaching English, and
exploring the culture.

4. Try Something New

Taking a risk and trying something new isn't always easy, but high
school is a great time to learn to take risks and by doing so, discover
new interests and talents. One IvyWise student had never picked up a
camera in her life, but decided that the summer before her sophomore
year of high school, she'd like to try. She enrolled in a photography
program, and developed her skills as a photographer. Another IvyWise
student spoke Spanish at home, but decided to use his Spanish
language skills in a new way. On a service trip to the Dominican
Republic, he became the translator for the group, and facilitated
connections between his peers and the people they encountered on
their trip. He learned how his language skills could help him connect
with people with whom he had previously thought he had little in
common.

5. Achieve a Goal

Getting away from the hectic schedule of high school can mean more
time to do those things you always wanted, but never had the time. A
politically inclined IvyWise student decided he would read all the non-
fiction political books he could find, as he was rarely assigned such a
book in high school. At the end of the summer he had an impressive
reading list (that he actually included in his college application), and
became more confident when discussing his ideas. Of course, goals
depend on the individual, and could include climbing a mountain,
learning to knit, becoming more outgoing, or writing a novel.

6. Do What You Want

In addition to the programs, the internships, the jobs, the college visits,
or whatever else might be part of your summer, there should also be
time for family, friends, and just for you. No matter how you spend your
summer, do not forget to do the things that make you feel happy and
energized--whether that means spending extra time with your younger
sibling before you leave for college, swimming in the ocean, making
time to see friends you haven't seen in awhile between tests and athletic
games, reflecting on the past year, going out for ice cream, or anything
else, you shouldn't forget to relax and have fun.