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Remember that dreaded first essay assignment every fall? “What I did last summer.” For most of us, it conjured images of endless days at the pool, maybe a family road trip, and a whole lot of chilling. And hey, relaxation is vital! But what if your “What I did last summer” story this year could be something truly transformative? Something that not only fills your heart with joy but also rockets your future forward?
At ScholarshipOwl, we believe summer isn’t just a break from school; it’s a golden opportunity. Whether you’re a high school student dreaming of your top-choice university, a college student gearing up for a dynamic career, or a pending grad student with big plans, this summer is your time to shine. It’s about filling your days with activities that have meaning to you personally, and purpose for your future professional profile.
Forget the pressure to make it perfect; focus on making it purposeful. Here are some incredible ways to make this summer your most impactful one yet:
Fund Your Future
Get a Paid Job
Win more scholarships with less effort
Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships.
Check for scholarshipsSometimes, the most direct path to funding your education is to simply roll up your sleeves and earn that money with a job! Working in a paid position, whether it’s directly related to your career goals or not, is a fantastic way to build responsible financial habits and save up for college. Even a few thousand dollars can make a significant dent in your tuition, textbooks, or living expenses.
Beyond the money, any paid job teaches you valuable life skills: time management, customer service, responsibility, and working as part of a team. These are all highly transferable skills that colleges and future employers love to see!
Stay in the Scholarship Zone: Apply All Summer Long!
Summer is arguably the best time to apply for scholarships because you have fewer academic demands competing for your time and energy. Make the most of these months by applying for scholarships consistently so that you can graduate from college debt-free.
Aim for at least 3 scholarships per week. Don’t fall for the myth that all the scholarship money is gone after spring – the ScholarshipOwl platform has at least $500 million in open and available scholarships every single month of the year! You can start your free 7-day trial at ScholarshipOwl.com and use our platform to focus on vetted scholarships that are the best fit for you, saving you valuable time.
Level Up & Grow
Boost Your Skills with an Internship
An internship is like a backstage pass to your future career! Whether it’s paid or unpaid, an internship is an invaluable way to build both your employability skills (think teamwork, communication, problem-solving) and professional skills specific to your chosen field. You’ll also start building that all-important professional network, meeting people who could open doors down the line.
Ideally, your internship would be related to your career goals, giving you real-world experience. But don’t underestimate the power of interning for a non-profit organization related to a cause you genuinely care about – it shows initiative, passion, and a commitment to making a difference. Internships are typically structured, with a set number of hours per week and a clear plan for the skills you’ll develop. Bonus: you can often get college credits for participating! If you’re a high school student, check with your local community college about signing up for a work experience class to earn credits for your internship hours.
Give Back to Your Community with Volunteer Service
Want to do something meaningful and worthwhile for your community while boosting your profile? Volunteering for one or more non-profit organizations is your answer. It’s similar to an unpaid internship in that you’re gaining experience and contributing, but it’s usually less structured, offering greater flexibility to fit around other commitments.
Volunteering is a powerful way to explore interests, learn new skills, and demonstrate your compassion and initiative. And yes, just like internships, you might also be able to earn college credits for your volunteer service through a work experience class at a community college, depending on the hours you put in. Every hour you dedicate to a cause you care about builds character and looks great on applications!
Get Ahead so You Can Graduate College Early
Enroll in Summer College Classes
Why wait until fall? You can get a head start on your college education (or shave off some time and money from your existing degree) by enrolling in one or more college classes through your local community college this summer. These classes can be in-person or online, offering incredible flexibility.
High school students who do this will not only save time and money on their future college education but also significantly boost their chances of getting into competitive universities. Colleges prefer students who challenge themselves with advanced classes, and demonstrating success in college-level coursework before you even arrive is a huge plus! Just make sure to check with your future university about transferring those hard-earned credits.
Earn College Credits with CLEP Exams
Want to save even more time and money on your college education? Look into CLEP exams (College-Level Examination Program). CLEP exams allow you to earn college credit for knowledge you’ve already acquired outside of a traditional college course. Essentially, if you know a subject well (like American History, College Algebra, or Psychology), you can take a single exam and potentially get college credit for it!
This means you can skip introductory courses, save on tuition fees, and get closer to graduation faster. Many colleges accept CLEP credits, so check with your prospective or current university about their policies. You can study for CLEP exams using official study guides, online courses, or review books.
Plan for College
Prep for College Entrance Exams
If you’re a high school student, summer is prime time to dedicate serious study hours to the SAT or ACT. Without the daily grind of schoolwork, you can focus on mastering those crucial sections. Similarly, if you’re a pending grad student, use these months to study for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or whatever exam you need to ace your graduate program applications. Consistent study without distraction can significantly improve your scores.
Work on College Applications & Essays
For rising high school seniors, this is a game-changer! The Common App, University of California applications, Coalition App, and many others all open on August 1st. But here’s the secret: their essay questions are typically available much earlier.
Use your summer months to brainstorm, outline, draft, and refine your college application essays. You’ll find you have far more time and energy to put into crafting compelling, authentic essays now than you will once school starts again and you’re juggling classes, extracurriculars, and senior year activities. Get your applications mostly ready to submit prior to August 1st, so you can hit that “submit” button early, or shortly thereafter, and breathe a sigh of relief.
Visit College Campuses
Still working on your college short list? Spend time visiting colleges that interest you. Most colleges do have some summer classes, so be sure to schedule your visit on a day and time when the college is open and classes are in session. That will give you an opportunity to talk with students, meet with faculty, take a college tour, etc. While visiting, be sure to checkout the local area as well – visit stores and eateries, explore recreation activities, and talk with community members to get a sense of what it would be like to attend the college as well as live and work in the community.
Feed Your Soul
Expand Your Horizons with Meaningful Travel
Summer travel doesn’t have to be just about lounging on beaches (though a little relaxation is always good!). Traveling to historically-relevant places or exciting city hubs, near or far, genuinely enriches your life experience and gives you a broader, more global perspective.
When planning your adventures, focus on making the experience an opportunity for learning and growth. Research in advance to see if there are opportunities to volunteer for an organization based where you’ll be traveling. This not only benefits that community but also gives you deeper insight into the local culture and people. For high school students and pending grad students, unique and meaningful travel experiences can provide compelling material for college application essays, showcasing your curiosity, adaptability, and worldview.
Boost Your Health & Well-being
Amidst all the planning and preparing, don’t forget the most important asset: YOU! Summer is the perfect time to build healthy habits that will carry you through the busiest academic years. Get your body moving daily to build strength and endurance – go on hikes, take daily walks, jog in your neighborhood, or try home/gym workouts. Join a meet-up group to discover new activities with new friends, or encourage your existing circle to get active with you. Explore fun exercise classes offered in unique locales, like a local beach or park.
Equally important is nurturing your mental health. Explore mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga. Dedicate time to simply being present. Building resilience now will be invaluable for navigating college applications, senior year activities, moving away to college, or stepping into that first job after you’ve earned your degree.
Learn or Practice Something You Love
Finally, make time for pure joy and personal enrichment! Learn how to play an instrument or build your musicianship skills. Build your cooking skills by trying out some new recipes. Start learning a new language, or practice language skills you’ve been learning while in school. Take up photography and document your amazing summer adventures. Write a short story or start a blog about topics that are meaningful to you. These activities not only nourish your soul but also showcase your curiosity, creativity, and dedication – qualities that always impress.
Make Memories that Fuel Your Future
By the time school rolls around, you’ll have an exciting, joy-filled, and incredibly purposeful response to the age-old question, “write about what I did last summer.” Make this summer the one that sets the stage for everything incredible to come!
