Using your summer wisely
April 29th, 2013 by admin.capstone
After a long, hard school year, summer vacation is a time to recharge your batteries. But it’s also a great time to catch up on some of those college-related tasks that you just can’t fit into a busy school schedule.
- Get those service hours! Community service is an important part of your college resume, so why not spend part of your summer giving back to those in need? Use those free hours to delve deeper into your passion and get involved with volunteer activities you’ve been meaning to try. Even better, deepen your connection with just one or two organizations. You’ll build stronger relationships and more leadership skills.
- Visit off-the-radar campuses. Vacationing? Scout out any appealing campuses within an hour or two of your destination – or if you’re driving, any that are on the way. During summer, most campuses are less crowded and more relaxed, so you might even get an individual tour or have the chance to meet a counselor or a professor.
- Take a class at a community college. Go ahead and try out that introduction to marine biology, broadcasting, or engineering. Exploring now will make picking a major in college a lot easier. Realizing that you don’t like a certain field is just as valuable as finding out that you do. One caution: Make sure you're prepared to do the work if you sign up for credit. Any college credit you earn will be a part of your permanent academic record, and those summer grades can be a help or a hindrance when you apply to schools.
