Depending on what grade your student is in, it’s ideal to make a loose, multi-year plan for the summers ahead. As they do that, they might identify a common thread or interest to pursue, which will make it easier to choose the right activities when the time comes. 

Here are our suggestions for each summer, but as you read, remember: this is a loose plan and not a step-by-step guidebook. Every student is different and is on their own unique journey.

Freshman and sophomore years. This is the time to explore! In 9th and 10th grade, your teen should start to explore summer activities that interest them, with the goal of ultimately developing leadership in that area. The most important thing is not to sit on the sidelines or wait to get involved. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Summer programs
• Camps (including CIT programs)
• Travel experiences
• Community retreats
• Small jobs (e.g., babysitting)
• Online classes 
• Creative writing
• Volunteering

Paid programs on college campuses probably won’t have any impact on getting into college but can be helpful for students (especially those who are less engaged in the college process or are the first in their family to go to college) to experience what it’s like to live on a college campus and determine what they want in a college. 

Early high school is also an ideal time for students to think about community problems they might want to try to impact down the road. Because schools want to see deep involvement in community service, starting early is a great way to develop that commitment, and summer offers your student the chance to dedicate lots of time to a cause.

Junior and senior years. 10th and 11th grade are the years to consider something more self-driven and emphasize impact. If your student has identified an area of interest, they should start exploring ways to deepen their involvement. Here are some ideas:

• Part-time job
• Internship
• Academic research
• Independent projects
• Community service around an area of career/major interest

Let your student's curiosity lead the way. If your teen is interested in biology, pursuing an internship in a lab might help them further understand the applications of that research to a future career. If your student is really enjoying a history course, encourage them to do some independent research and explore a historical topic that intrigues them. The key is for students to develop and show their intellectual curiosity.

It’s absolutely possible for students to do more than one activity during the summer. If there are multiple activities a student would like to participate in, we encourage them to include them in their summer plan to see how a summer might flow. But as a parent, know your student and their schedule! Make sure their plan won't make them too busy or overwhelmed. Students should never return to classes in the fall feeling burnt out and exhausted. 

Some students develop clear interests earlier in their high school careers, while some take a little longer. Your student can jumpstart an interest at any time—take advantage of summer as a time to encourage that exploration.