Although it's only January, it's time to start planning summer activities for high school students. Participating in summer activities can significantly boost a student's college application, demonstrating qualities such as curiosity, motivation, and initiative. While the University will consider extracurricular activities that students participate in during the academic year; They also value evidence that students develop their interests during the summer.
Many opportunities, such as internships, volunteering, or specialized projects, have limited slots and early deadlines. Start planning now and make sure you don't miss out on a sought-after experience.
Whether a student's goal is to delve into a new pursuit or expand an existing passion, the range of options is enormous – and college planners can help your student make the most of their summer with over 500 ideas. Here are a few suggestions for students eager to use the summer to enrich their resumes and broaden their experience:
Internships
Internships provide students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and make informed decisions about their future career paths.
For high school students, one of the main benefits is the hands-on experience they provide. Additionally, working in a professional setting can promote the development of important life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Internships also enable students to explore a variety of career paths before committing to a specific field of study or career. Exposure to different industries and job roles helps students make informed decisions about their future academic and career pursuits. This early exploration prevents students from investing time and resources in areas that may not align with their interests or goals. That said, students should seek internships in their areas of interest.
STEM students may find job opportunities in local labs, tech companies, or engineering firms. For students who enjoy art, an internship at a museum, theater, or graphic design studio can expose them to the creative process and industry insights. Aspiring journalists may find internships at newspapers, **, or radio stations. Similarly, students in the business field can look for internships at marketing agencies, financial firms, or startups.
Students can also build a professional network with experienced professionals and mentors in their chosen field. These connections may open the door to future opportunities.
Participating in an internship can also enrich a student's resume by demonstrating a proactive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
Volunteering
Students who volunteer during the summer can make a meaningful impact while gaining essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and social responsibility. Consider volunteering at a local community center, homeless shelter, or food bank to support marginalized communities and foster empathy. Animal shelters provide opportunities to care for animals. Participating in environmental groups or conservation efforts allows students to contribute to the preservation of our planet.
Summer camps and college programs
Many colleges and universities offer summer housing programs for high school students. Over the course of one to seven weeks, students can live and study on a college campus with peers from all over the world. Enrolling in a course like this not only showcases a student's interest in a particular subject, but also allows them to delve deeper into their favorite topics and even explore new areas of interest. In addition, students can also experience college life by living in dormitories, eating in cafeterias, and hanging out on campus.
Professional summer camps also cater to different interests, offering immersive learning experiences and recreational activities. Leadership camps develop teamwork, decision-making, and communication skills through outdoor challenges and group activities. Adventure camps offer opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, or water sports that encourage physical fitness and outdoor exploration. Coding camps offer hands-on programming experience. Similarly, an art camp or drama workshop allows participants to unleash their creativity and express themselves through a variety of artistic mediums. Sports camps focus on specific sports, from baseball to rowing, allowing students to learn new strategies and skills.
**Courses or seminars
Attending ** classes or seminars can deepen students' understanding of subjects outside of the high school curriculum, allow them to explore new areas of interest, and demonstrate their curiosity and interest in learning to college admissions. Platforms such as Coursera, Khan Academy, Udemy, or EDX offer a wide range of courses across disciplines. Whether students are interested in advanced math, computer programming, creative writing, or languages, these platforms offer expert-led courses that enrich students' knowledge base while also looking great on resumes.
Research projects
Participating in a research project during the summer gives you an insight into the world of academia and science**. Students collaborate with professors or researchers at local universities or research institutes to assist with ongoing projects. Working on a research project gives you access to parties**, data analysis, and critical thinking skills. This experience can enhance a student's academic qualifications while allowing them to delve deeper into a specific area of interest, providing valuable insights.
Stand-alone projects
Undertaking independent projects highlights initiative, creativity and self-discipline. Whether starting a small business or starting a community service project, independent efforts allow students to explore their personal interests and passions. Starting a small business, whether it's selling handmade crafts, providing mentoring services, or starting a tech startup, can instill entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy. Initiating community service projects, such as organizing fundraisers, leading youth mentoring programs, or advocating for social causes, not only benefits the community, but also fosters leadership and civic engagement. Students who want to start independent projects will find it much easier to start these programs during the summer months because they have more time.
Work experience
Getting a job embodies commitment, responsibility, and maturity while helping students discover new strengths and interests. In addition to the salary, summer jobs provide important life skills and experience. Learning to balance work commitments with other responsibilities requires time management. In addition, it provides the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people, improving their communication and interpersonal skills. Summer jobs also introduce students to the dynamics of the professional world. Whether it's frying burgers, assisting customers, or working as a clerk in an office, every job fosters independence, self-discovery, and a strong work ethic. Often, employers are also willing to write an additional letter of recommendation for students to submit along with their application.