As the school year comes to a close, students are essentially “checking out” of school and moving in to summer. Summer break is a great time to relax and relieve the stress build-up from finals. However, it is also very easy to lose focus, which makes adjusting to new classes in August a challenge.
Taking online classes in the summer can increase engagement in academics and it can further skills like time management and responsibility according to nshss.org. It is also a good opportunity to expand your college applications.
Another way to add to college applications is summer internships. Internships are focused more on learning and gaining experience in a workspace rather than working full time according to usnews.com. In addition, they are a great space for students to explore different studies and career options that they are interrested in.
In a 2019 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, it was found that 70% of interns received a job offer. This opportunity has not been taken advantage of according to a 2020 study by American Student Assistance which showed only 2% of high school students had completed internships. These chances develop maturity in students and gives them a flashforward of what their futures could look like in their respective careers.
Summer is also a great time for upperclassmen to take SAT and ACT prep courses and attend tutoring sessions. According to markseducation.com, prepping in the summer has been very effective for students because they have more time outside of tutoring sessions in the summer than the school year to review discussed materials. This also allows tutors to cover significantly more ground with students, so they will feel more prepared when their testing date comes around.
