Oh it’s SUMMERTIME!

By Charlotte Pak

Congratulations! You have successfully finished your 2013-2014 school year, and the long-awaited summer vacation has begun.

My first tip on what to do with your summer vacation is to do something WORTHWHILE. This includes travel, work, volunteer service, online courses, summer camps and programs, studying, and college admission preparations. Sitting on the couch and watching your favorite television show for three months would be a squandering of precious time and will not develop you as a person. By employing yourself, you will also prepare for the following school year and college.

Travel

Many families travel during the summer. Popular destinations are theme parks, beaches, historical sites, national/state parks, and foreign nations. The rewards of travel are family memories, new experiences, and overall fun. Record your thoughts and experiences during your travels, so you can use these writings for college admission essays.

Work

For those of you old enough, work is another effective use of your time. Find places that are currently hiring and start working. Work can offer experience and a steady income, however small it may be. The money earned can be saved for desired purchases, gifts, and college tuition. Work experience also sets you apart from other college applicants and develops your maturity.

Volunteering

Regularly investing your time volunteering for a cause is also rewarding. The point of community service is not to look good to colleges and/or other people. Sticking to one activity and maintaining a significant impact is more fulfilling than merely collecting hours. Find a cause you care about and look for volunteering opportunities. Recording your observations and experiences will also help during college admissions.

Summer Camps and Programs

Sadly, many summer camps and programs have already finished signups, but it’s not too late to find the few that remain in your neighborhood. Keep an eye out for local news and search for camps/programs online. Again, keep in mind that your participation in such programs can be used in college applications.

Studying

Studying will prepare you for next year’s studies and prevent you from forgetting content you learned this year. Although saying that you just stayed at home and studied sounds like a rather boring summer to your friends, it will close the feared “summer gap.” This is how I spent most of my summer vacations, and it set me up for success and A’s every school year.

I strongly advise adopting a combination of these activities for your summer. All of these provide their own rewards, and your summer will be more fulfilling if you do at least one.