Many of the families we meet at Collegewise feel pressure to squeeze the maximum college admissions benefit out of their students’ summers. So students enroll in expensive summer programs, boost their community service hours, work with tutors, take summer courses to jump a math level, etc. all in an attempt to polish perceived weaknesses and add to their application arsenal.
These actions almost always come from a good place. Colleges won’t be impressed by a student who sits on the couch all summer watching TV and eating Cocoa Puffs. However, there is absolutely no reason why kids can’t have summers that are both relaxing and productive.
In 2009, I published my first version of “50 Ways to Spend Your Summer.” It has since become one of the most viewed and shared posts. Here it is again (and for counselors who have posted this to your schools’ websites, you’ll need to use this new link I’m sharing here now that the blog has been updated).
I hope the list helps.