The new year brings a familiar ritual for many families: summer planning. Parents open their calendars, teens start comparing programs, and suddenly the months that should feel open and full of possibility begin to feel crowded. The questions start early. What should I do this summer? Which program will look best? Will I fall behind if I don’t do enough? What begins as a practical exercise can quietly become something heavier—the pursuit of “exceptional.” 

Winter break is when most families finally breathe. The college deadlines slow down, the group chats quiet, and—for a few weeks—there’s time to think. Yet for many parents, it’s also when the next round of pressure sneaks in: What should my teen do this summer? The inbox fills with glossy emails about “elite experiences” and “college-level rigor.” Each one promises transformation, often with a five-figure price tag. It’s easy to believe that if the opportunity is prestigious and expensive, it must be worth it. But here’s the truth: we meet students every year who spent $10,000 on a summer program that changed nothing. They come home with a certificate, a sweatshirt, and a nice photo—but no new insight, direction, or spark.

Every winter break, parents start scrolling. Summer programs, internships, “college-ready” camps—each one promising an edge. It’s a familiar ritual built on fear: that a slow summer means a lost opportunity. But much of what parents believe about summer and admissions is outdated. The truth is simpler and far less performative. The best summers build curiosity, independence, and direction, not panic.

Winter break is the perfect time for families to pause, reflect, and plan for the future—including how to make the most of the upcoming summer. Colleges aren’t looking for students who cram their schedules with countless activities; they’re looking for depth, passion, and meaningful impact. The months of summer offer a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and make a difference.

Summer is more than a pause between school years. It’s an open canvas for students to explore interests, develop new skills, and grow into the people they’re becoming. Whether that looks like volunteering at a local nonprofit, shadowing a professional, or launching a creative project, the summer months offer the freedom to take charge of personal and academic growth.  As students move through high school, what they need from summer changes. Freshman year is about curiosity. Sophomore year is about commitment. Junior year is about impact and preparation. Each season builds toward a story that colleges recognize as authentic, purposeful, and uniquely theirs.