How Do I Maximize My High School Summer Holidays?
The school year is soon coming to an end, and the excitement of the summer and the freedom it
heralds draws near. However, you know that there is only a finite amount of time you get to relax.
Right now, you are tenaciously planning on how to use this time to maximize the right set of
experiences you can showcase in your college application. There is, essentially, a constant tug between
spending time with family and friends, mentally preparing for the rigor of the next school year, and
delving into activities and adventures that could possibly tip acceptance to your dream college in your
favor.
ReachIvy highly recommends that you first take a few weeks to relax, read under shaded trees, babysit
your nieces and nephews, go dancing, play and/or argue over cricket and football with your closest
friends, or binge watch The Big Bang Theory and sleep till noon. Then, get cracking on a summer
adventure that is most suited to who you are and what you love.
Here is a list of options:
1) Volunteer. Whether it is climate change, women’s rights, urban sanitation, amnesty for
refugees or global health problems like tuberculosis or heart disease, pick a cause that you are
genuinely passionate about, and find a way to get more deeply involved with an organization in
whose mission you believe. Instead of picking multiple options, we recommend that you work
on specific projects to gain a richer understanding of the operational context of one or two
causes.
2) Get deeper into extra curricular activities/interests you pursue through the academic
year. If you play the piano, use the summer to take the Trinity College or Royal School of Music
exams. If you play a sport, train with coaches and practice hard. If you are passionate about
foreign film, take online courses on film appreciation or volunteer with organizing local film
festivals. Whatever your activities and interests, find a way to delve into them further over the
summer.
3) Learn a new skill. Are you interested in learning Ruby On Rails or Mandarin, but haven’t had
time during the school year? Use the summer to learn a new skill, which you can continue to
develop not only through the school year, but also in college.
4) Talk to seasoned professionals in careers that you are considering. If you have a specific
future career in mind (or a few options), use the summer to network with seasoned
professionals in these sectors who can guide you, and could help you design a career path. By
doing so, you may connect with someone who could end up becoming your mentor, who would
be a long-lasting source of wise counsel.
5) Get a summer internship. Do you have a specific future career in mind, or any specific subjects
that you would like to study further? Getting an internship at a related company or organization
will not only help you explore, but will also help you cement your interest in this sector. For
instance, if you love human biology, getting an internship with a hospital shows colleges that
you are serious about this subject, and driven to learn more about it in terms of its real world
applications, beyond a classroom setting. Try to structure the internship with your employer
before you start to ensure that you maximize your learning experience. This is one of the most
impactful ways that you can spend your summer.
6) Travel. Have you dreamed about seeing the pyramids in Egypt, or staring at the ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel? If you have the means to do so, use the summer to get on your way. If you are
resource constrained, travel as much as possible within your state or country. Travel off the
beaten path, explore different landscapes, and try to immerse yourself in local culture and
experiences wherever you go. If possible, explore options to volunteer for your cause in a
different city or country. Document your adventures. Keep a journal, take lots of photographs
and/or blog about your experiences.
7) Get involved on a college campus. There are many ways you can get involved on your dream
college campus. You can make a visit, or take a course or summer programs for high school
students. Immersing yourself on a college campus does not ensure that you will get admitted,
but it will give you valuable insights into campus offerings that can better inform the way in
which you build your profile in your college application. Thoroughly research your options to
ensure that you are enrolling in the right course or program.
8) Join a summer abroad program. The best way to adventure outside your comfort zone is to
immerse yourself in a new city in a new country in a summer abroad program for at least six
weeks. You can couple your experience with a volunteering opportunity, or with academic
research or an internship. There are many summer abroad programs specifically designed for
high school students based on your interests and talents, so thoroughly research your options
to find a program that best fits your profile.
9) Study for the SATs or ACTs. The summer is the perfect time for you to start preparing or even
take your SATs or ACTs. By getting it out of the way, you will be able to better focus on the
demands of the next rigorous academic year, as well as on building a strong college application.
Additionally, you have more time and are under less pressure if you need to retake the test.
10) Get better at writing. To be able to submit stellar college essays, you are going to have to be at
the peak of your writing capabilities. Spend time over the summer keeping a journal, in which
you can reflect on your experiences, and practice structuring your thoughts and emotions.
11) Read. The best way to get better at writing is to read. ReachIvy has compiled summer reading
lists for the 9th/10th grade, as well as for the 11th/12th grade that span classics, plays, novels and
biographies. Get cracking, get inspired and fuel your imagination!
12) Start thinking about your college application. Putting your college application together
while meeting the demands of a busy school year puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on your
time and mental health. By beginning to build your application over the summer, you can tackle
the different components in strategized phases, so that you can put forth your best application,
without being overwhelmed by your school year responsibilities.
The summer helps you explore as many different ideas as possible, and so if you are in the 9th or 10th
grade, pick 3-4 different activities over each summer, feed your curiosity and find your passion. If you
are in the 11th or 12th grade, hone in on the 1-2 activities you care about the most, assume leadership
and responsibility roles, and maximize your impact.
Remember to take lots of photographs!