Senior year can be hectic – students are tasked with taking the ACT or SAT in the fall, narrowing down their list of prospective colleges, and keeping up with extracurricular activities while juggling school work and college applications. So what should you do?
Take advantage of the summer before your senior year!
Treat it as a time to organize, plan ahead, and anticipate the pressures of the coming months. Here are six practical activities you can do during your “time off.”
Organize Your School Life
Take some time to reflect on how and where you study the best. Organize your study area or desk – throw out clutter and remove distractions, rearrange your books, and stock up on school supplies. If you don’t have one already, consider buying a calendar or using an app to organize your time and to plan ahead for important deadlines.
Think About College
Summer is the perfect time to kick your college efforts into high gear. You may want to visit potential colleges over the summer – although there’s less on-campus activity during these months, most colleges will still run tours. It’s also not too early to start on your college essay. This is an important part of the college application that students often put off until the very last minute. While each college has different requirements, you can experiment with different prompts – describing a significant experience (academic or not), discussing a person who greatly influenced you, or sharing a particular academic subject you enjoy.
Prep For Standardized Tests
Prepping for the ACT or the SAT can be dull, and it takes valuable time away from your academic classes. If you’re planning to take these exams in the Fall, test prep should happen during the summer. Pick up some vocabulary cards, or download an app, and start learning words. If you doubt your math skills, consider reviewing the main areas covered on the ACT and SAT: algebra, geometry, and probability/statistics.
Volunteer or Intern
The summer can also be a great time to pick up valuable workplace experience. Check with your school about volunteering or internship opportunities, and find out whether you can earn class credit. Don’t be afraid to contact companies and organizations directly. While it’s tempting to spend the summer with friends, working or helping others can be very fulfilling.
Read a Book
From senior year through every college period, you’ll probably only read books that are assigned to you. Use the summer as an opportunity to read for pleasure, whether in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. When in doubt, visit a library and ask for recommendations.
Start Your College Applications and Scholarship Search
Even if you haven’t narrowed down your college choices, you can still get ahead in your college applications. Ask teachers, employers, or mentors for recommendations early on – not only is it polite to ask for help well in advance, but your teachers may have ideas about which colleges to apply to and the overall admissions process. You should also begin the hunt for scholarships. In addition to federal aid, there is a wealth of opportunities that you may qualify for.