Summer offers a fantastic opportunity for high school students to explore their interest in nursing and gain valuable hands-on experience without any financial burden. By participating in free nursing-related activities, students can better understand what a major in this field entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These practical experiences not only provide valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. By engaging in these experiences, students can gain valuable insights into the nursing profession without the need to spend money.

Summer is the perfect time for high school students to explore their interest in business and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By engaging in free business-related activities, students can develop a clearer understanding of what a business major entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career aspirations. These hands-on experiences not only provide valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to delve into their interest in health professions and gain hands-on experience without the need to spend money. By participating in free health-related activities, students can better understand what a major in health professions entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These practical experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to delve into their interest in psychology and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By participating in free psychology-related activities, students can better understand what a major in psychology entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These hands-on experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an ideal opportunity for high school students to explore their interest in data science and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By engaging in free data science-related activities, students can better understand what a major in this field entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These hands-on experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore various engineering disciplines and determine which majors align best with their interests and skills without the need to spend money. By engaging in free engineering-related activities, students can gain valuable insights into the different branches of engineering and make informed decisions about their future college and career plans. These hands-on experiences not only help students discover their passions but also demonstrate their commitment to the field, which can be advantageous in the college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

The summer before 9th grade is the perfect time for students to start exploring their interests and taking their extracurricular pursuits to the next level. By thoughtfully planning summer activities that balance exploration, productivity, and downtime, you can help your child transition confidently into high school. Encourage them to try new things, take on challenges, and enjoy the adventure of personal growth. With the right mix of support and independence, your teen will be ready to start 9th grade with excitement and confidence.

Most high school students have no idea what career path or college major they might pursue. However, many colleges ask students to indicate their major on their application and some (like state flagships such as the University of Texas at Austin) actually evaluate their application based on their fit to that major. That means that students need to explore potential careers and majors in high school to be able to demonstrate their fit to major on their resume.

The summer before high school is the perfect time for students to continue exploring their interests (or trying new things) and taking their extracurricular pursuits to the next level. As you plan out your rising freshman’s upcoming summer break, you might want to consider specialized summer programs, which can help students learn new skills, gain independence, make new friends, and try out areas of interest they may not have the time to do during the school year.