How to Make Summer Productive

By Marco A.

Summer is often regarded as a time to relax, sleep in, and be with friends and family. Recently, however, summer has become a time for many high schoolers to learn new things, improve college applications, and prepare for the future.

In reality, summer should be a combination of both relaxation and productivity. Summer is a time to relax and unwind after the stresses of the recent school year, and it is also a time in which students should seek ways to improve themselves. It is important to find the right combination of both, while not spending too much time on either.

Effective use of time, especially in the summer, has become increasingly important in college admissions. Many colleges seek to understand if their applicants make good use of their time. With that being said, here are five ways to make your summer more productive and beneficial:

1. Study for the SAT/ACT

Although this may not be the most popular option, it may be the most beneficial one. Either way you go, it's a good idea to study for these tests at some point. Many studies have shown that a significant amount of studying for the SAT or ACT correlates to significant score increases. I can personally attest to this, as my SAT score increased 200 points after studying during the summer. These score gains will be well worth your time when it comes to applying to college.

Furthermore, Many colleges report that besides GPA, standardized testing is the most important factor when considering admissions. This means that you should be putting significant time into these tests!  Additionally, there are many low cost options for study materials, including websites, books, and videos. A simple search for “how to self study for the SAT/ACT” results in millions of resources.

So not that you know you should study, why study in the summer? Well, summer is the time of year when most students do not have to worry about other classes, extracurriculars, or  homework. As a result, students can spend much of their free time on the SAT/ACT without detracting time from other important events.  

2. Volunteer or Get a Job

One of the things colleges love is volunteer work. However, this should be something more than just another thing you can list on your resume. Volunteering should involve something you are passionate about and want to help others with. Find this activity for you, and pursue it over the summer while you have time. If you are truly passionate about it, it guarantees to be a rewarding experience (so rewarding that it may even make a great college essay!). It is also important to make sure that while you do this, you keep track of how many hours you volunteer as it may be asked later on.

Getting a job can have both personal benefits as well as monetary ones. Work can help you gain experience in the professional world, a skill that colleges will appreciate. Also, working in a professional setting will teach you the value of hard work. This will give you much more respect for those who work everyday of the year. Finally, the money that comes from the job may come in handy later down the road.

3. Learn Something New

School may be out, but that does not mean the learning should end! With all the free time you now have on your hands, use it to learn something you have always wanted to know. Many websites such as Coursera and edX offer free classes on interesting topics from top universities. If you have ever wondered how to code a website, write great poetry, take breathtaking photos, or how chemistry affects cooking, the summer is the time to learn it do it. Not only will this be enjoyable, but it could also help you discover what you are passionate about. If you think you may be interested in being a journalist, taking a journalism class on edX could let you know if it’s the right fit for you. Furthermore, this will keep your brain active so you’re ready to learn when school starts up again in fall.

4. Take Some Time to Read

Reading can be extremely enjoyable and relaxing if you find a book you are passionate about. Time spent reading has also been shown as the best way to increase standardized test scores in reading. In order to do this, try to pick out books that you enjoy, but are also well written and respected.

Reading can also expose you to new ideas and can subsequently cause you to change your world outlook. As an added benefit, reading will keep you thinking throughout the summer months.

5. Discover What You Want to Do in Life

Although this may sound cliche, summer is the opportune time to find out what job you want to pursue, or what college you want to attend. Research the possible career fields you are thinking about, and the colleges you are interested in. Don’t hesitate to contact someone in these positions to ask them about their personal experience. More often than not, people are willing to help you learn more about their career field. If you are really interested in one, see if it's possible to spend a day on the job or if there are any related internships available. As far as college goes, try to figure out what each university wants to see in an applicant. Additionally, consider visiting a campus if you are interested.

Keep these 5 things in mind during the summer! They will be very helpful and beneficial in making it more productive. But remember that it is also important to relax over the summer, as we all need some down time. Don’t let any of these activities consume your whole summer! Be sure to enjoy it while you can.