Maximize your Summer Breaks

After a long school year, you’re probably ready to take a lengthy break. Summer breaks evoke long, lazy days, visits to the beach or park, Netflix binges, and sleeping in. Should you enjoy your summer break? Absolutely! We all deserve and need time to relax, be creative, discover or revisit hobbies, and spend time with loved ones. Yet, the 8 to 12 weeks of summer allotted are precious and an ideal time to learn outside the classroom, in ways that will ultimately help your future academic, career, and college prospects. 

If you’re wondering how to use your time productively during the summer, here are a few ideas to maximize your summer break.

Volunteer with an organization you care about.

Getting in the habit of volunteering is great for several reasons.

• You can learn more compassion and empathy by learning from others who may have diverse backgrounds or perspectives.
• You get to give back to your community in tangible ways.
• You learn the importance of being a good neighbor and citizen–traits that will help define who you are as you mature.

If there are local organizations whose mission or cause aligns with yours, contact them to see how you can get involved. You can also look for opportunities to volunteer for national organizations, as many will offer remote ways to volunteer. 

Additionally, volunteering is a great way to get more exposure to academic or career fields of interest while serving the community. If you’re curious about what it takes to be a veterinarian, you can volunteer for a local animal shelter or humane society. If you aspire to hold public office or be a lawyer, you can volunteer for local political organizations or government officials. 

The sky is the limit regarding volunteering, so don’t be afraid to reach out and network to discover unique ways to serve. 

Find an internship.

Internships can be great ways to gain professional experience over the summer. Your high school may offer structured internship opportunities for upperclassmen, so check with your guidance counselor about available options. Alternatively, you can apply for summer internship programs offering hands-on training and academic or career experiences. Finally, you may be able to secure an internship by networking and reaching out to organizations or professionals with whom you’re interested in interning with. Gaining real hands-on learning experience outside the classroom is an invaluable experience, and what better time to do so than during the summer?

Engage in research activities.

If you’re interested in learning more about certain topics and love unearthing new information, participating in research over the summer would be worthwhile. In addition to any research courses or preparation you may complete in high school, you can consider initiating an independent research project, participating in a guided research program, or even formally conducting research with a faculty member or research mentor. 

Developing strong research skills (reading, writing, critical thinking, data analysis, etc.) is a precursor to engaging in meaningful research. See how you can use your summers for intentional exploration!

Strengthen or advance in academic subjects.

If you know there are certain subjects you may need to brush up on, use your summers to gain more confidence in them. You could work with an academic tutor to review or learn related concepts or take an academic enrichment class to broaden your understanding. 

Alternatively, if you want more challenge than what you’re getting in school, summers are a great time to enroll in more advanced classes (through local community colleges or school summer academies) and earn academic credit. This can also set you up to be able to take more academically rigorous classes during the school year. 

Prepare for college entrance examinations (SAT/ACT).

Summer is a great time for concentrated test preparation if you haven’t completed SAT or ACT testing. Independent preparation or test preparation tutoring or programs can be great options, allowing you to focus on improving your SAT or ACT scores without distraction from homework or school exams. Register for exam dates over the summer as well!

Want assistance maximizing your summers?

Taking action on just one of these items will add structure to your summer and benefit you in the long term. If you want guidance on what to do over the summer, get in touch! We’re happy to assist you in planning year-round. 

Also, check out our article about Planning Your Summer

Originally published in November 2020. Updated by one of our admissions consultants before being republished in May 2026.