Making the Most of Summer: Impactful Activities for High School Students
Summer is a golden opportunity for high school students to focus on personal growth, academic advancement, and skill development. With careful planning, students can balance relaxation with meaningful activities that prepare them for college and beyond. Here are five impactful ways to make the most of summer.
1. Prepare for Standardized Tests for College Admissions
For students aiming for competitive college admissions, summer is the perfect time to dedicate effort to standardized test preparation. The SAT and ACT are critical components of college applications, and improving scores can open doors to better opportunities and scholarships.
Students can enroll in test prep courses, both in-person and online, to access structured guidance. Additionally, practice tests help pinpoint areas of weakness, enabling targeted improvement. A consistent study schedule throughout the summer allows students to boost their confidence and perform their best when test day arrives.
2. Take Additional Courses to Boost Your GPA and Interests
Summer is ideal for academic enhancement. Many online high schools and colleges (including Elite Open School) offer courses in advanced-level courses, allowing students to strengthen their GPA while exploring new areas of interest or deepening their knowledge of a subject in which they already have an interest.
These courses, whether in calculus, computer science, cybersecurity, finance, or psychology, demonstrate a student’s intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning. Some courses even offer college credits, which can lighten future academic loads. For those aiming to stand out in the college admissions process, completing advanced coursework signals readiness for rigorous academic challenges.
3. Join Summer Programs at Colleges
Summer programs hosted by colleges offer students an enriching way to explore potential career paths or academic interests as well as gain hands-on experiences not available at their high schools. These programs range from STEM workshops and arts intensives to leadership boot camps and business seminars.
Beyond the educational aspect, participants gain firsthand exposure to college life, including living in dorms and engaging with professors and peers. Attending such programs can deepen interests, expand horizons, and help students decide on their future majors or career goals.
Most summer programs require an application that includes essay responses, teacher recommendation letters, and high school transcripts.
4. Volunteer in the Community
Engaging in volunteer work is not only fulfilling but also an excellent way to develop leadership and interpersonal skills. High school students can participate in activities like tutoring children, assisting at animal shelters, or organizing community cleanups. Volunteerism showcases a student’s character and dedication to helping others—qualities that colleges and scholarship committees highly value. Moreover, it provides perspective, builds empathy, and helps students form connections within their community.
5. Gain Work Experience
A summer job is a practical way to save money for college while learning valuable life skills. Whether working in retail, babysitting, or taking on internships, employment teaches responsibility, time management, and teamwork. Additionally, students can explore roles related to their future careers, giving them hands-on experience and a clearer understanding of their interests.
6. Strike a Balance
While summer should be productive, it’s also important to leave room for relaxation and self-care. Students can use downtime to recharge by spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or traveling. Achieving a balance ensures they return to school refreshed and ready to tackle the next academic year. By combining academic, professional, and community-focused activities, high school students can make their summer both impactful and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a great time for students to participate in activities that will allow them to learn, experience, and grow–and that process of growth and development will continue throughout their high school years.
Students should think about their summertime as a part of the bigger picture of their academic and personal development, one in which they build on interests they already have during the summer and continue their journey after the summer through their course selection in school and extracurricular activities outside of school.
Here’s a list of questions to help students get a head start on their summer plans:
What do you want to get out of your summertime?
What do you want to learn or do that you didn’t have the time or opportunity to do during the school year?
Is there an academic interest and career field that you want to explore?
How can you build on what you did last summer or during the school year?
What can you do to prepare for your future–whether it’s preparing for a challenging course in the upcoming school year (short term), your academic interest in college (medium term), or a potential career (long term)?
Do you plan to take the SAT or ACT for your college applications?
Elite Prep offers comprehensive college planning and application services for students in grades 7 through 12.
Meet with our expert counselors to develop a winning strategy to get into your dream school!