How to Make the Most of Your Summer Before Starting College

Summertime can be used to do so many great things that help your college education. Yes, Summer is the time when everyone takes a break from the stresses of life and wants to sit back and relax. However, what if we told you there are ways to make the most of your time while also relaxing? In this blog, we are going to break down how you can make the most of your summer before starting college, whether you’re new to it or just starting another year.

Something that's important and should be mentioned is that everything we talk about in this blog can be used to help you in your scholarship endeavors. We hope it helps your chances of finding the right opportunity to earn a scholarship.

Part-Time Job or Any Other Work Experience

Once you get to a point in your life where the idea of college becomes a scary, uncharted territory for you, or you’re well prepared, you should realize that your summer is a great opportunity to get a step ahead of the rest of the crowd. One of the major changes is the realization that summer holds the time for out-of-school opportunities. These opportunities can prepare you for some of the everyday tasks and schedules involved in everyday college life. Whether the job is school-related or a side hustle working at a coffee shop, this opportunity allows you to be proficient in multiple different things:

Time management is a big one. It keeps you focused on what your priorities are and how to properly manage your busy day. It can be stressful at first, but once you get used to it, you start to feel more comfortable. If it’s a school-related job, it can improve your sense of professionalism and responsibility. Soft skills also help with future networking opportunities. Part-time work can be a big help for this, because it gets your foot in the door, without needing to fully commit to a weekly schedule of managing a 9-5 job.

Try and Do Some Fun Volunteering Work

Volunteer work is another huge boost! This gives you the ability to make the best of your time while also making yourself stand out on a scholarship application. Colleges love seeing these extracurricular activities because they show you deserve the scholarship, and outshine those who might be in the running for the same college scholarship.

Volunteer work also shows what anyone, regardless of stature, wants to see; and that comes down to one word… Caring! Commitment to community and personal qualities, like empathy and leadership, are all shown through volunteering. Most times, volunteer work is not paid, so it means you want to spend time helping others while passing on the paycheck that other scholarship candidates might want for doing the same work.

Other Ways of Bettering Your Summertime

There are some other opportunities outside of volunteering. Getting a part-time job can benefit you. One excellent opportunity is an internship. It’s similar enough to a part-time job, but it’s education-related and can be paid, so there’s some benefit to it all. If the focus is in your field of study, this is also a major advantage to furthering your college adventure.

Study Abroad

If your major requires studying abroad, this can be a worthy investment of your time for a variety of reasons. You get to explore the world, see new places, and get an idea of the potential for a future life in a different city or country. This is especially relevant if you want to live in the place you study. It’s also basically an extended vacation for your time away from home. 

Several other smaller tasks you can do include taking on a summer class, touching up your resume, or your LinkedIn profile for future opportunities. This also prepares you for future life and career purposes. Another example of time well spent is researching early for your major. Explore future career ideas, talk with professors, and broaden your horizons. 

With regards to some areas that relate back to Send Your Kids to College; review our scholarship opportunities that we offer, and also look into money-related topics. We make sure to promote student loan rates, the student loan crisis, and having the money talk with parents. If you’re a new student preparing for college life or a parent looking out for your student’s future, it’s important to understand the financials. If you have any questions for us, our best advice is to reach out to Send Your Kids to College soon! We can’t wait to help and start a conversation!