The Summer Before Senior Year

 Vacation is Upon Us!!

WOW. CONGRATULATIONS!!! You made it to summer. (For anyone who is still in school I apologize, but please come back to read this once your classes end). First thing's first, catch up on some sleep. We all need it, especially after a tough school year. Take your first few days to relax and recuperate. Unfortunately, school will start all over again in the fall, but that is a long time away. There are endless possibilities over the summer!

OK, so you took a few days to sleep and do nothing and then the boredom starts to set in. Students are so used to a set schedule that all of this free time throws them off. And then there is the thought of college applications looming off in the distance. A distance that comes nearer every day. There are plenty of other things to do over summer, but since this is a web site focused on college and school, I will obviously talk about how to tackle school related problems and worries. Here are some things that you can do this summer to help you out in the fall, with your college applications, and with your overall life experience:

1. Work on your College application Essay

If you know how to write your college essay then great otherwise, read The Secrets to Writing a College Essay.  It is a pretty simple essay to write, but very difficult because you need to write about yourself. The important thing is to start early and work on it when you have a free mind. Do not force yourself to work on it, but find some motivation so that at least half way through July, you can start. Starting the essay in September is not a good idea, especially if you plan on entering schools via early decision, which is usually due in November. No one needs the added stress of having to meet a deadline for admittance. You should be done with your essay when you feel that you are done with it, not when it is due. Take your time and start early.

2. Study for the September SAT

Yes you have the entire summer to study, but if you keep saying this, then you will never get around to it. Procrastination is the worst thing, especially with SAT studying. Just buy a book and read it. Put aside 15 minutes every day, just 15 minutes to read, review and study from your book. September and maybe October are really the last SAT dates that you can use unless you really want to chance it and take the test in November. Just start studying!!

3. Get a Job

Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to get a job in this economy. I honestly do not think that a job is that important by any means, for college or really for experience, except for under some rare circumstances. Honestly, teens would normally only get a job moping floors, moving boxes, or serving ice cream. These are not very good jobs. They will eat up your summer and only pay minimum wage. Students are better off getting an internship with a non profit and actually doing something worthwhile. There might not be the paycheck, but the experience and story are wayyy better. What sounds more interesting? Making people coffee or building homes in areas destroyed by disaster? Think about it.

4. Travel

You might not think that this is that great for college, but traveling can show colleges that you are open to try new things and meet new people. If you travel by yourself, it would also show colleges that you are mature and can survive by yourself, without mommy and daddy there to do your laundry and make you lunch. Not to mention that traveling is totally awesome!! You never know what will happen or who you will meet, so if you like surprises, then traveling to a new place is great for you. You can fly across the country or go on a road trip with some friends, either way it will be an experience that you will never forget. I can guarantee that.

5. Campus Tours 

You want to know where you will be applying in the fall right? Well now is your last chance to find out. Once senior year starts, there will be no time to travel to schools or go on tours. There will be plenty of schoolwork to occupy the little free time that students get. In addition to that, the entire college application process is very laborious. Today, students apply to over a dozen colleges, so that adds up to a LOT of paperwork. Take your tours now.


No matter what you choose to do this summer, make sure to have fun and take a much needed vacation. There will only be one summer going into senior year. Be safe, have fun, and make smart choices.


Some other great articles worth reading:
Activities Outside of School 
Our Society of Grades

Tips to Help You Get Into College