As fall planning gets up and running for your student, be sure to remember that having an extracurricular plan is just as important as having an academic one. Carve out some time to talk about what types of (safe) activities your student wants to take part in outside of the school day. A class to learn a programming language? A new workout routine? A painting project? A fundraiser? There are many viable options at their fingertips to help them make the most of this time at home. 

Outside of continuing to do their best in school, there's a lot that students can do to take advantage of this break from normalcy, following their interests and learning new things along the way. They can take time to be outside, read books, and play with their younger siblings—activities that they may not normally have time to enjoy. Acquiring a new talent, honing their cooking skills, and just plain playing will all add layers to their identity and will inevitably impact their growth. Online learning is one great way to do this, but there are other options as well.

During this global crisis, many folks are helping others to stay busy, and more importantly, to give back. The sheer number of communities and organizations requiring help grows daily, and with a little creativity, it’s entirely possible to volunteer from home. For example, starting a fundraising campaign for an organization that is meaningful to your student not only helps the community, but also teaches your student about communication, marketing, project management, and financial management. 

At the end of the day, an important outcome of all of this staying at home is skill-building. Focusing on skill development, rather than outcomes, is a great way to take control of an uncertain and sometimes scary situation. When students have a sense of what their skills are, they are more easily able to make important choices, like what to major in or how to build their college list. Skill-building will also come into play when it comes time to write effective college application essays that tell a story. 



There are certain aspects of your student’s life that simply can’t be the same as last fall: they can’t perform in the school band from home, and they can’t play on the soccer team remotely. But there's a definite silver lining—students now have the chance to explore ideas, subjects, and activities that they normally wouldn’t have the time to. Of course, this will add a meaningful layer to their college applications, but it will also help them learn about themselves and give back to those around them. So as we learn to navigate this uncharted territory, remember to give your student space to feel dejected and frustrated and anxious—but also encourage them to understand this as a time of growth and opportunity.