SUMMER PLANS FOR JUNIORS

This month, I am talking to my Juniors about summer plans. It’s their last chance to add a quality line to their high school résumés and bolster their college applications. What are the options? With my students, we’ll look at opportunities to:

◆ Volunteer. Yes, community service is important – for both college admissions and scholarship applications. Community service opportunities could be those that are already established at food banks, libraries, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. Or they could be projects designed by the students themselves – to collect, recycle, restore, or create.

◆ Get a Job. Work is admirable. Commitment and responsibility are two executive function skills that every student needs to master. Having a job requires a student to follow directions, perform a series of tasks, and show up on time. Plus, the income is always an added bonus.  

◆ Love to Learn. Academic options are everywhere! You could get ahead by taking a class at your local community college. You could explore your potential major by attending a summer session at a selective college anywhere in the country. Try learning how to code. Or pick-up another language. Get out of your comfort zone and try a class on art history or music appreciation. 

◆ Be an Entrepreneur. Learn by doing! Entrepreneurship teaches you skills through hands-on experience that cannot be found in a textbook. Innovation and creativity, plus communication skills, organizational know-how and strategic thinking could certainly set you apart from your peers.

◆ Cultivate a Hobby. Summer is the perfect time to cultivate a hobby. What have you been wanting to try, but you haven’t had the time? Pick-up an instrument. Become a photographer. Paint. Learn to bake. Garden. Take golf lessons. Dance. But don’t just do it once. Cultivate means to devote time and effort to develop or improve. 

◆ Embrace the Moment. So maybe your family already has a ton of trips planned for this summer and taking a class, having a job, or volunteering on a regular basis is just not feasible. Do something meaning with your travel time. Do a deep dive into the cities where you stay. Explore the history, current politics, largest employers, local writers & artists, food, or points of interests. Use what you find to write a blog, share insights through a dedicated Instagram account, develop your own research, or create a piece of art. 

Putting in a little effort this summer will dramatically improve the admissions process this fall. If you’re not sure where to start, give me a call. I will help your student focus on what matters for his/her situation. No two students are alike, and my approach to college admissions reflects that. I am definitely here to help! If you’re interested in learning more about how I can help your student find and fund his/her ideal college experience, reach out using any of the buttons below or give me a call at 405-906-7044!

Thanks for joining me!

smb

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