Making the Most of Summer: 10 Productive Ways for High Schoolers to Embrace Personal Growth

By Kevin Organisciak, M.Ed.

Summer is a great time to add life experiences to your college resume. These experiences can be small or large but they should have a depth of interest that reflects more than a passing check-the-box attitude.

While colleges are often on the hook to recruit top students, admissions officers are usually more interested in building an engaged, respectful, and diverse student community. Ideally that community will be filled with resilient students that have differing opinions and perspectives formed by unique life experiences.

That last piece is what we're discussing here. There is no "right way" to spend a summer and admissions folks can sniff out "check the box" activities like contrived research projects or friend-of-family internships, so make the most of this summer by following your authentic interests.

Here are 10 ideas to get you started on planning a productive and practically development summer:

Engaging in volunteer work not only allows you to contribute to your community but also cultivates compassion, empathy, and a sense of responsibility. According to a study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, volunteering has been linked to improved self-esteem, enhanced well-being, and reduced depressive symptoms (Pancer et al., 2007). It also showcases your commitment to social causes and community involvement, which can be valuable for college applications.

Seeking out internships related to your areas of interest can provide invaluable real-world experience and professional exposure. Internships allow you to gain insights into potential career paths and develop essential skills. Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has found that students who completed internships had a higher chance of receiving job offers upon graduation (NACE, n.d.).

Taking summer courses or attending academic programs can help you broaden your knowledge base and demonstrate your commitment to learning. Many universities and institutions offer summer programs tailored to high school students. These courses not only provide intellectual stimulation but also allow you to explore fields of study before making college decisions.

Dedicating your summer to cultivating a hobby can foster personal growth in various ways. Whether it's painting, playing a musical instrument, coding, or practicing a sport, hobbies enhance creativity, improve focus and discipline, and promote a sense of accomplishment. According to a study published in the Journal of Leisure Research, participation in hobbies positively correlates with life satisfaction and overall well-being (Sung, 2011).

Embarking on a personal project, such as writing a blog, creating an app, or starting a small business, can ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and develop essential skills like time management, problem-solving, and innovation. Not only does it demonstrate your initiative and drive, but it also provides a platform for self-expression and personal growth.

• Read Widely:

Immerse yourself in the world of books and explore a wide range of genres. Reading enhances your vocabulary, critical thinking abilities, and empathy. Research published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences suggests that reading fiction can improve emotional intelligence and enhance empathy and social perception skills (Mar et al., 2006). So, dive into novels, biographies, and self-help books to expand your mind and enhance personal growth.

• Engage in Physical Fitness:

Summer is the perfect time to prioritize your physical well-being. Engaging in regular exercise, sports, or outdoor activities not only improves your physical fitness but also promotes mental well-being. Physical activity has been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function (Hogan et al., 2013). Consider joining a local sports team, going for hikes, or practicing yoga to keep both your body and mind in top shape.

• Learn a New Language:

Learning a new language opens doors to new cultures, broadens your perspective, and enhances cognitive abilities. Research published in the journal Brain and Language has shown that bilingualism improves cognitive control, memory, and problem-solving skills (Bialystok, 2007). There are numerous online language-learning platforms and apps available, making it easier than ever to embark on this enriching journey.

• Engage in Cultural Immersion:

Immerse yourself in different cultures by participating in cultural exchange programs, traveling, or even exploring your local community. Exposure to different cultures fosters open-mindedness, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills. It also enables you to appreciate diversity and understand global issues from multiple perspectives.

• Work:

Working even what you consider to be the most menial job has merit beyond the simple paycheck. It exposes you to different types of people, a hierarchy of rules that may be unfamiliar, exposure to group dynamics, leadership development and, perhaps the its biggest contribution: humility.

As I said at the beginning, there is no "right" recipe of actives there is only what is right for you. Through engaging in productive activities, such as volunteering, internships, pursuing hobbies, and exploring new avenues, you can enrich your life and build a solid foundation for future success.

Remember, personal growth is not only about building a college resume but also about expanding your horizons, discovering your passions, and becoming a well-rounded individual ready to embrace the opportunities life has to offer.

References:

Bialystok, E. (2007). Cognitive effects of bilingualism: How linguistic experience leads to cognitive change. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 10(3), 210-223.

Hogan, C. L., Mata, J., & Carstensen, L. L. (2013). Exercise holds immediate benefits for affect and cognition in younger and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 28(2), 587-594.

Mar, R. A., Oatley, K., Hirsh, J., dela Paz, J., & Peterson, J. B. (2006). Bookworms versus nerds: Exposure to fiction versus non-fiction, divergent associations with social ability, and the simulation of fictional social worlds. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(5), 694-712.

NACE. (n.d.). What is an internship? Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/internships/what-is-an-internship/

Pancer, S. M., Pratt, M., Hunsberger, B., Alisat, S., & Li, L. M. W. (2007). Bridging the gap: The influence of organized youth activities on the personal development of inner-city adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(2), 255-264.

Sung, H. (2011). Do leisure activities contribute to life satisfaction? Leisure Sciences, 33(1), 1-14.