Intro
As we are all aware, summer is quickly approaching. So parents, what do you plan to do with your high school student this summer? We don’t need to remind you that a bored teen is one who is most likely heading for trouble. What’s the saying: idle hands are the devil’s workshop? Well, multiply that times 20 when referring to teenage idle hands.
This article provides you with some tips on how to keep your teenager occupied, and hopefully out of trouble, this summer.
Summer Options
Getting a summer job is one of the most practical ways for high school students to build their resume and impress colleges. Even if working during the school year is not an option, there are often seasonal establishments such as residential summer camps that look for help specifically during the summer months. Any job is good, but working in a leadership position or an academic area is ideal. The more a job challenges the student, the more it builds the skills that colleges and future employers are interested in seeing in applicants.
Volunteering is another way high school students can gain leadership and work experience, plus it is a wonderful way to give back to one’s community. Nonprofits such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters, kids’ organizations, medical clinics, literacy organizations, religious groups, etc. all need help.
Students who are listening may not care for the next suggestion, but summer school or taking classes is also looked upon very favorably by colleges. Additionally, taking academic courses can
help improve students’ SAT or ACT scores. There are a variety of options available for high school students to take summer courses, both at their own schools and at local colleges. If the local high school offers summer classes, this could be a great way to advance math or language skills, two areas that often fall short on college applications. Local community colleges also offer credit-bearing summer courses for high school juniors and seniors on a variety of introductory-level topics. This will not only look great on the student’s transcript, but it also provides an opportunity to get a jump start on general education requirements for college and allows students to explore possible career options.
While we’re on the topic of college, summer is a good time for families to visit college campuses. This activity won’t take up the entire summer, but it can take a couple of weeks. Students should still engage in other resume-building activities and experiences. If the student would like to improve their SAT or ACT scores, summer is a good time to take a prep course or engage in self-study. Students should keep in mind though that colleges want to see activities like work and volunteering over studying for a four-hour exam.
High school students can also attend summer camp or enrichment programs offered by youth groups and area colleges and universities. In these programs, students can focus on interests such as sports, music, STEM, and other interests.
While this may not be a viable option for everyone, summer travel can be an exciting way for students to enrich their minds while enhancing their resume. Visiting and exploring foreign places will broaden horizons, allowing the student to expand awareness of other peoples and cultures. It’s also a great chance to develop language skills.
To recap, high school students need to spend their summers doing something productive. Summer is a time to rest, play, travel, and recover from a difficult academic year. At the same time, make sure you do something productive in the summer, something that will develop your skills, explore your interests, or serve your community.