To find a program, meet with your school or independent counselor for a brainstorming session. 3. Summer is an excellent time to take care of all those extra things you didnt get to during the academic year to prepare for the future. Things High-Achieving College Students Do Over the Summer The IvyWise KnowlegeBase provides the most current information about the admissions process. The activity ideas that excite you the most are likely the options that you should most seriously consider. Are you a new or transferring student, or changing your major this year? Leave us a comment below to share the ways you're making the most of your summer vacation! Or, if youve worked with ateacher previously on a project and want to do your own independent research this summer, reach out see if they can help you secure lab space or mentorship. Living on Campus If you're planning on living on your college campus over summer break, it may seem a little different than your other semesters. The TED app not only gives users access to thousands of TED Talks but also lets users create playlists that can be shared with friends and family. 17. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Purge your closet & donate items you no longer need. If you help build houses for Habitat for Humanity once a week during the school year, volunteer every day during the summer, and initiate community outreach projects to raise more funds. Distinguish yourself from others by flexing your entrepreneurial muscle: tutor a foreign language, design and sell custom clothing, set up shop on Etsy for your homemade crafts, offer guided tours in your town, or start a house/pet-sitting or lawn care business to demonstrate innovation, dedication and determination. Organize a picnic. The idea of "summer reading" isn't new, but the summer reading challenge from Wake Forest University can offer fresh inspiration. The first step to having a great summer break is establishing a good living situation, so take control of what you can to set yourself up for a healthy home life. Now's a great time to help smooth the transition to the fall semester by planning money matters and preparing your budget for the upcoming semester. Become a camp counselor. Create a sidewalk chalk art gallery. Take time to access sample syllabi and textbook lists for the classes you're thinking of registering for. But what will you say when someone asks you about your summer? How Long is the Summer Break? Students will need a way to organize their thoughts as they brainstorm essay topics this summer. All of theseskills can serve as building blocks for future internships and careers and summer can be the perfect time to work on this foundation. Grab your friends, pitch a tent or rent a cabin, and get in touch with nature! I love that CollegeXpress has helped me find some scholarships to apply for but also helped me succeed in school with lots of tips. Instead, youre looking for a project or work experience that isnt quite defined yet. The more you do, the better! Explore your interests and pursue your creativity by signing up for a class, lesson or group in your community. Spread the knowledge! Completing an undergraduate research project offers you a leg up on graduate programs and professional school admissions, helping you stand out from a pool of applicants. There are a few schools however that have shorter summer sessions of just 2 weeks and others that have longer summer sessions of 8 or even 10 weeks. CollegeXpress helped me find Allegheny College with the super-user-friendly search tool for both schools and scholarships. Enjoy nature. Start Drafting Your College Essay. Check your local events calendar and bring a blanket, friends and snacks! All rights reserved. 45. Talk about your academic interests and which programs may best supplement what youre already involved in or learning about in school. summer planning. Going back home after months away can be challenging. Evernote is a great way to write, record, save, and organize notes and documents all in one app. 34. Cost: $$ 3. Also, coordinate with your roommate or suitemates to see who might be able to bring communal items, like fridges, TVs, and other commonly shared electronics or appliances. If you were a tourist in your town on vacation, what would you do? Create a business. 26 Smarter Ways to Make Your College Summer Break More Productive You dont have to have a job or internship during the summer to learn more about a subject of interest or be productive. Your academic advisors have a wealth of knowledge available to you - take advantage! During the summer, however, the social scene in your life can drastically decrease, especially if you're no longer on campus and spend your days at a job or internship. Whether you plan to relax on the beach with a book, take on a few extra shifts at work, sleep in, embark on a road trip, or some combination of all of the above, make the most of the time you have. "Ways to Stay Entertained Over a College Summer." Working, reading, traveling, relaxing, learning a new skill or language? Summer is also a great time to pick up a leisurely book just for fun that you might not have time to read during the semester. Have a staycation! It's never too early to start working on your resume. Summer Money Making Ideas. From retail to administration, there are plenty of job possibilities for high school students. For example, the University of South Florida offers several summer services, such as career fairs, walk-in hours, and conversations with peer advisors. Smart Ways to Spend College Summer Break | CollegeXpress Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Look no further! college students It is also happily filled with the fun stuff, like friends, parties, going out, and a seemingly endless schedule of upcoming events and activities. "What did you do this summer?" TED Talks are fabulousif youre unfamiliar with them, just know that theyre brief talks led by the worlds best and brightest education leaders, doctors, business people, musicians, and more. Before you enroll, consider both the benefits and disadvantages of summer courses so you can get the most out of your summer. Sometimes its hard to reacclimate to your parents rules, or maybe you have a difficult relationship with a sibling. (2023, April 5). One way to delve deeper into your interests is to learn something new about them through online or summer courses. Summer classes tend to be more expensive than courses taken during traditional semesters because there are fewer students but similar overhead costs. There is no one-size-fits-all summer activity that will fit the needs of every student. WWF Together is an Apple Design Award-winning app that allows users to experience beautiful, endangered animals from their iPads. Fostering these relationships can help you find new opportunities that you may not have considered before. IvyWise is not associated with the Ivy League oranyofitsaffiliates. Look for a internship or job for the fall or for after graduation If you are currently a college student or attending this fall, visit the career counseling website. Using the summer months to delve into an area of interestrather than playing video games or relaxing by the pooldemonstrates maturity and a commitment to excelling in that field. Interested in coding, website design or other subject that might not be offered in your college? Have fun during your summer break. What's a college student to do? A productive summer break can help students stand out in the admissions process while also helping them to explore their interests and gain a better understanding of what they want to do with their college education. Glamour has some great DIY spa tricks to make you relaxed and rejuvenated without paying hundreds of dollars. Take in some culture. If youre planning on taking a standardized test in September or October, IvyWise recommends getting a head start the month before school starts so that students can brush up on material and start the semester strong. Indulge in hobbies or try a new one. If you have a good experience, you should continue your commitment to the work you do by raising money for the cause youve worked towards once you return home. View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home. Whether a student is interested in medicine or journalism, reaching out to an organization for an internship opportunity can open doors in many professional industries. For more information on guidance on selecting and applying to summer programs, learn more about our college counseling services. Best Summer Bucket list Ideas For Teens - Seventeen Most summer courses meet between 3-5 days a week for several hours over 3-6 weeks. There are some classes that can be taken during winter break or "May intersession," for instance, and those cram a whole semester's . At the start of your break, make some loose goals and plans to keep yourself aware of your priorities, but beyond that, focus on relaxing and enjoying this time to rejuvenate yourself before the new semester. St. Davids, PA, St. Ambrose University This could be something like a graphic design student learning the Adobe design apps, to get more proficient in their field. Once youve narrowed down your list of potential summer activities, work to make your top choice a reality. Take some time to make something unique: scrapbooking, woodworking and DIY projects are great options. A good mentor can help you grow immensely by advising you on career direction, making good decisions, establishing long-term goals, and determining actionable steps you should take toward them. Enjoy the outdoors? Do All Colleges Have Summer Break? - All College Talk Keep reading to learn more aboutsummer college prep and how to get the ball rolling on this important component of the college admissions journey. Students at UCLA's Mock Trial Summer Institute train in public speaking and learn how attorneys prepare a case for trial. Harvest your creativity. It is also happily filled with the fun stuff, like friends, parties, going out, and a seemingly endless schedule of upcoming events and activities. A job also serves as a great option to help save for college or simply have extra spending money. 15 Summer Money Making Ideas For College Students - The College Investor Summer is a great time to explore something new and see if its a good fit. Focus on programs that are at least four weeks to demonstrate your depth of interest. Just because youre home doesnt mean you should slack off on doing laundry, cleaning up after yourself, and vacuuming occasionally. How will you spend your months off? The summer before college is usually a blur, but savvy parents and students can get ahead of the curve by ticking a few things off the list before summer starts. Since many deadlines can be as early as March or April for a June or July program, its important to prioritize those summer experiences with hard due dates. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Find opportunities to do good in your community, or join a volunteer travel program, to apply your skills and education through meaningful, hands-on learning. Don't feel bad about leaving some of your summer open. Also, many orientations have a parent portion, so make surea parent or guardian signs up as well! Have a backyard scavenger hunt. Expand your skill set beyond your major. Make a spa in your own home. Balance is key, so plan your summer vacation with a mix of enriching activities, productive endeavors and, perhaps most importantly, free play! See what else you can do here! Have a moment of brilliance on the go? At least one time this summer, try a new sport that might challenge you, like golf or tennis. Don't miss out on all the sun, fun and productive ways to spend your summer break from college! summer break Consider what you will do differently in the coming semester to maximize success. What To Do During Summer Break Tips | ForRent Whether you're sending a thank you note, asking a question or requesting a letter of recommendation, summer is a great time to check in on your favorite professors and strengthen your connections in your school community. 15 Ideas on What to Do During Summer Break, Check Out Some Podcasts and Movies Related to Your Interests, Prioritize Programs or Internships With Hard Deadlines. In addition to earning some extra income, jobs can help students build valuable interpersonal skills. Create and promote events, register guests and streamline attendance tracking. Maybe you can start a blog about your interest in fashion and design or create a YouTube channel that chronicles your journey to building a new robot for competition in the fall. 2. Here are after winter b, Increase alumni engagement at your institution by downloading the . Part of setting a budget is knowing where your spending money is coming from. Explore options relevant to your career goals and consider joining a professional organization, such as National Association of Black Journalists Conference, BlogHer,and NAWMBA Conference (National Association of Women MBAs).