Guide to a Studious, Scholarly Summer

By Hayden Murry

Student Life Editor

May 2022

Every high school student goes through three consecutive months of freedom each summer. This time is typically used for vacationing, relaxing, and leisure activities.

However, the mere four years we students spend in high school are crucial to the opportunities and successes of our futures. With such momentous events as choosing a college or entering the workforce on the horizon, we must use our summer break wisely.

One of the most impactful things a student can do during the summer, if not their life, is joining an extracurricular activity. Whether it be a sport, club, or volunteering opportunity, these different experiences will make you more attractive on resumes and applications, along with enriching your existence on this planet.

For rising seniors, joining new extracurriculars may be obsolete, as admissions counselors and hiring people to value the quality and length of the activity rather than the amount of them a person belongs to. However, one should not be participating in an activity solely for admissions but rather because it gauges personal interest and enjoyment. For current first- and second-year students, this is the perfect time to get situated in the various clubs our school offers. This would allow you to make an impact rather than just joining for the title.

For current juniors, writing college essays (if you are even going to college) will be highly beneficial during the three-month break. You won’t have to worry about writing the papers in the middle of the school year when applications are due, giving you some peace of mind during the school year.

When you complete the essays during the summer, you can then go through several revisions to submit a near-perfect final draft, rather than a hastily written fan-fiction of your own lonely, depressing life. During this time, you won’t be as prone to write about unoriginal, boring topics the admissions committees have heard countless times. Instead of writing about the typical tropes of the big game or helping kids, find something personal, something authentically you. Over the summer, you’ll be able to delve deep into your mind and reflect on what you could write about that would gauge the interests of colleges.

With the days nearly completely open, students can also work extra hours to build up savings. While we are minors and under the care of guardians, lots of us don’t have many, if any, bills or expenses to pay. Subsequently, the opportunity to save a hefty amount of money for college, a car, a home, or any future cost is there for you. Especially with rising wages for specific entry-level jobs, students can save up thousands during the summer. (see our Q & A for high-paying high school jobs!)

Despite the many academic and intensive activities one can do over the summer, it is a time of rest and renewal before the new year dawns. You must utilize the free time over the many days of summer vacation while also enjoying your youth. After all, what good is life if you don’t choose to enjoy it?