This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get ready to take your next big step. Don’t blow it — but be sure to still have some fun.
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| Summer between high school and college |
By Karl Saint Lucy, Metro
High school is going by fast. College is just around the corner, and
the summer is a huge, open field of possibility. You’ve been looking
forward to bumming around on the couch watching “Riverdale” and
snacking, but could your time be better spent on college preparation?
College prep doesn’t have to be scary or boring. Catch these tips—you could end up having the best summer of your life.
Read, read, read
Read from your recommended list for next year, take a look at next
year’s textbooks, invest in cultivating speed-reading skills, because
one thing’s for sure — you’re going to be completely overwhelmed by the
pages you’re meant to compute your first year in Big Kid School. Do
anything you can to get your nose in some books, because you’ll need to
be practiced and disciplined at reading if you want to do well in
college. Even reading for pleasure will keep your brain in top shape for
learning.
Contribute to society
Deliver pizzas, file tax stuff for your mom, teach seniors about
filters on SnapChat … there are endless fun ways to carve out a place
for yourself in the big, wide world while you’re waiting for school to
start again. If you find yourself stumped, check out resources like Habitat for Humanity, TeenLife, or Philadelphia Youth Network to find out about volunteer opportunities in your area.
Spot school-supply deals
You’ll have to start doing your own shopping pretty soon, and
probably on a shoestring budget. Get in the habit of looking for
bargains now — you’ll get practice taking care of yourself and your
parents will appreciate the help.
Take a summer course
One of the best ways to prep for college is to take a college course. Boston University’s Summer Term
program gives high school students the opportunity to “immerse
[themselves] in college academics and campus life, open [their] minds to
new subjects, bond with high school students from around the country
and globe, and experience summer in beautiful Boston.” But Boston
University isn’t the only college that has programs that offer the
college experience, academic challenge, and new friends to high school
students—Temple University, Boston Architectural College, and NYU have
great programs worth checking out.
Hang out
College isn’t all work and no play. You’ll get to meet friends and
start new adventures in college, but you still deserve to have fun with
the friends you already have. Give yourself a break — go on a road trip,
hop on a train,or walk down to your favorite fro-yo place. You don’t
have to spend money to cultivate friendship, either — plus, you’ll be
doing your own mental health a favor.
There are tons of ways to have a cool, productive summer — get
creative! You’ll walk onto your future college campus having earned the
kick in your step.
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