Make the Most of Your Summer With These 6 Best Ideas

1. Take advantage of Summer School opportunities

2. Explore volunteer opportunities

3. Look for paid work opportunities

4. Visit a College Campus

5. Read

6. Ride a Bike

Summer School: Many school districts offer summer school classes for a minimal charge or free. In some cases, you may be able to improve a grade on your transcript, or more importantly, improve your confidence and skill in a particular subject area. Often summer school classes are a fun way to investigate a new subject area or pursue your favorite subjects more deeply.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities: Giving of your time and providing service to others is a wonderful way to be a contributing community member. Volunteering can be arranged informally or formally and can range from providing free yard care to an aging neighbor to assisting with duties at a non profit pet shelter. Look for local websites to match your interests with those seeking service. Think about your interests, skills, and passions. You’ll find a more satisfying experience when you seek out something which matches your personality.

Paid Work: Many summer jobs exist and this can become a great way to save for college or help out your family. Colleges value students who show a paid work history. You’ll learn and demonstrate many soft skills such as reliability, organization, and timeliness. Many skills you learn on the job will be transferable to other life situations such as cash handling, managing customers, and operational processes. Look for Help Wanted signs in your neighborhood or online job match sites.

Visit a College Campus: Summer is an optimal time to visit a college campus in your own area or while traveling on summer vacation. Contact the Admissions Office ahead of time for a student led tour or to visit a specific department. However, if you find yourself near a campus while traveling, stop and take a walk on the grounds. Many people live within a public bus ride away from a college and have never set foot on the campus. Discover the gem that may be in your own backyard. You may discover summer concerts or camps for kids which you may enjoy during these warm months.

Read: Keep reading. This is an invaluable life skill and public libraries offer free checkout of books, audible books, and digital books. Plus many offer free tickets to museums and other cultural locations. Books provide pathways into all kinds of interests and curiosities. Let your heart and mind wander into new areas or old familiar ones as you read a book. Most libraries also offer summer book reading programming with prizes for pages read and connections to others with similar interest in discussion groups. Libraries offer opportunities for volunteering and demonstrating leadership. Check out your local library soon!

Ride a Bike: Get out and move. Walk, ride your bike, or play soccer. Fun exercise is an excellent way to prepare your mind and body for the next school year and for college. Even more fun, do this with your family or a friend. Avoid underestimating the power of physical activity on your social and emotional well being. It is of utmost importance for building a strong mind. Summer is a wonderful time of year, get out and try something new!

Using summertime for something more than polishing your video gaming skills will benefit you in many ways and provide unexpected fun!

– Ann Voorhees is founder of Ann Voorhees College Consulting

ann@annvoorhees.com