| Gone are the days when summer vacation time was | | | | become very rewarding for you as an applicant. The |
| solely used for going to the beach, being lazy and | | | | admissions committees of colleges and universities |
| relaxing around the house. With the competition | | | | throughout the U.S. look for individuals that can |
| evident in the college admissions race, it pays off to | | | | contribute to the classes by bringing their own insight, |
| think about doing something more useful with your | | | | initiative and creativity. |
| time of leisure. | | | | Every day more, classes become participative, leaving |
| Preparing for the college admissions race requires a | | | | the lecture format almost entirely in a class of the |
| lot of time and effort. However, it does not mean | | | | old and discontinued ways to teach. With the more |
| that high school students should deprive themselves | | | | modern teaching methodologies such as case study, |
| from taking time off to relax from their daily routines. | | | | team projects and even cold-calling to enhance class |
| Recharging batteries for the next year of their high | | | | participation, student input becomes invaluable to |
| school education is as important as working towards | | | | enrich instruction and the classroom experience as a |
| their mid-term goals. However, there are many | | | | whole. This is why colleges seek leaders, students |
| advantages to doing something useful also during the | | | | with diverse experiences that will bring their own |
| summer, and taking advantage of this time to learn | | | | perspectives and thought processes to the |
| new things in different environments can prove | | | | discussions to take them to the next level. |
| rewarding in many ways. | | | | To become a contributor of this class experience, we |
| Taking on a summer job occupation can support your | | | | must seek new experiences that encourage creative |
| college goals by: | | | | and analytical thinking. The summer is the perfect |
| 1- Proving that you are a hard worker, willing to go | | | | time to seek these adventures, which will make a |
| the extra mile to show others that you are | | | | difference to us as individuals, and to the ones |
| committed to your goals | | | | surrounding us, as we inspire them to think differently |
| 2- Providing the opportunity to experience a field of | | | | and profoundly about new topics in mind. Work and |
| work you have interest in. This can also help you | | | | obligation can be fun too, especially when choosing a |
| really know with more certainty if the industry which | | | | career you love. If you missed, the experience was |
| you are trying out and also the profession you are | | | | also good as you might have saved yourself from |
| reviewing meet your expectations in terms of | | | | studying for four years about an area you would not |
| interests, career wants and needs. Most of the | | | | directly use in your professional future. |
| times, third party opinions are not as valid as making | | | | Here are some ideas of interesting summer |
| your own opinion regarding an occupation by having | | | | internships: |
| "been there, done that" | | | | 1- If you are a tennis/baseball/other sports player: |
| 3- Gain a leadership opportunity by undertaking a | | | | Opening a tennis/baseball/sports league for |
| special assignment in your work environment, and | | | | underprivileged kids |
| completing it before the summer's end. This will not | | | | 2- If you are an actor/singer/musician: Producing an |
| only have the potential of becoming a great life | | | | amateur musical play or drama |
| lesson in completing tasks, time management and | | | | 3- If you are good in sciences and interested in |
| results delivery, but also, you will be making a | | | | pre-med: Shadowing a doctor for a month |
| difference for the affected group of people, and | | | | 4- Any student at all: Developing a small non-profit |
| maybe even leaving a legacy | | | | organization to support a specific cause (does not |
| 4- Keeping your mind going throughout the summer, | | | | need to become large or fundraise large amounts of |
| as opposed to getting lazy and becoming passive in | | | | money) |
| your life. Living at a slower pace is sometimes | | | | 5- If you are interested in international relations, |
| needed, however, when doing so for long periods of | | | | languages and other related fields: Forming an |
| time, it can be counterproductive, and you can easily | | | | organization to cater underserved populations tutoring |
| form bad habits that stick. Maintaining a balanced level | | | | them in Spanish |
| of activity during the summer is useful and beneficial | | | | 6- If you are interested in finance: Joining a bank, |
| your any high school student | | | | developing and executing a program to open small |
| 5- Providing opportunities for creative thinking as you | | | | loans for lower income individuals and their small |
| go outside your bubble to learn about something | | | | businesses. |
| completely different from what you devote yourself | | | | With a little creativity and passion for a specific |
| on a daily basis | | | | occupation, your summer can end up being so much |
| 6- Experiencing new things that can lead to analysis | | | | more than expected, opening your eyes to new |
| on your career, goals and future | | | | horizons and changing your life forever. Get ready to |
| From the college admissions process perspective, | | | | jump out of the couch and work to make your |
| taking on an internship, thinking creatively about what | | | | dreams a reality. |
| to do during the summer, and taking new action can | | | | |