Make Your Summer Count: A Guide to Meaningful Summer Experiences

Summer break isn't just about relaxation; it's an opportunity to grow, explore, and discover more about yourself and the world around you. Whether you have three months or just a few weeks between commitments, how you spend your summer can expand your knowledge, teach you new skills, provide opportunities to challenge yourself, and help you identify and define your path forward.

Summer experiences come in all shapes, sizes, and price points. Some are free, some will allow you to earn money, and some require a fee. The most important factor when choosing a summer experience isn't the price tag or the prestige, it's how much it will benefit you in terms of personal growth and skill development.

What Colleges Care About

Colleges don't care if you spend your summer at a prestigious university program or working at your local supermarket. They care that you have experiences outside of yourself where you're learning and gaining new insights.

Spend your summers doing things that interest you. Don't volunteer, apply to a summer program, or pursue an activity just because you think that's what admissions officers want to see.

Questions to Ask Before Applying to Formal Programs

If you're considering structured summer programs, you may need to complete an application essay, request letters of recommendation, and send transcripts. Before you invest that time and energy, ask yourself:

1.     How much time do I have? Consider your entire summer calendar, not just one month.

2.     What other commitments do I need to work around? Sports tournaments, family vacations, work obligations, or other responsibilities?

3.     What's my budget? How much can you and your family afford? Do you need financial assistance? Many summer programs offer scholarships or sliding scale fees, so don't count yourself out automatically, but also remember that expensive doesn't mean better.

4.     Why do I want to attend, and what do I hope to accomplish? 

5.     What alternatives could give me similar learning experiences? Sometimes, a creative DIY approach offers more growth than a structured program.

Free and Low-Cost Summer Ideas

You absolutely don't need to bust the budget to gain meaningful experiences. If going away or attending a formal program is too expensive, stay in your own community and create your own opportunities. Here are some ideas:

Learn and Build Skills

• Teach yourself to code using free resources like Coursera, the Khan Academy, or even YouTube.

• Learn or improve your foreign language skills through Duolingo

• Teach yourself how to play a musical instrument using YouTube tutorials and library resources

• Take a cooking class at your local community center or library

• Take an art class or follow online tutorials in drawing, painting, or digital art

• Read, set a goal, and explore genres you've never tried

• Start a book club with friends or through your local library

  
  

Gain Professional Experience

• Get a part-time job

• Intern with a local company, nonprofit, or small business

• Shadow professionals in fields that interest you (doctors, teachers, engineers, architects, business owners)

• Start a small business or side hustle based on your skills

• Research topics in your area of interest and compile your findings

Give Back to Your Community

• Help out at your local library

• Volunteer to teach art, music, or sports at a summer camp

• Organize a fundraiser for a cause you care about

• Tutor younger students in subjects you excel in

• Volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, or community center

• Help coach a youth sports team

Challenge Yourself Physically

• Train for and run a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon

• Learn a new sport or outdoor skill (rock climbing, kayaking, cycling)

• Go hiking and explore trails in your area

• If you're already a competitive athlete with practice, tournaments, and showcases filling your schedule, find small pockets of time for other experiences—visit museums, read, explore nature

  
  

Pursue Passion Projects

• Start a website or blog about something you care about

• Create content (YouTube videos, podcasts, photography portfolio)

• Start a garden in your backyard or join a community garden

• Work on significant awards if eligible (Girl Scout Gold Award, Eagle Scout project)

• Conduct independent research in your field of interest

• Build or create something (robots, apps, art installations, furniture)

• Compose music or write creatively

  
  

Explore Academic Interests

• Take online courses through platforms like Coursera, edX, or your local community college

• Attend free lectures, workshops, or events at nearby colleges or museums

• Participate in research opportunities at local universities (many offer programs for high school students)

• Join specialized programs in your area of interest (many are free or low-cost)

  
  

Special Certifications

• Become a certified lifeguard

• Get certified as an EMT

• Earn certifications in areas like first aid, CPR, or babysitting safety

• Complete online certifications in areas like digital marketing, Microsoft Office, or Adobe Creative Suite

  
  

Regardless of what you do with your summer, here's how to maximize the experience:

1.     Reflect on what you're learning - Keep a journal

2.     Document your experiences - Take photos, keep records, save work samples

3.     Connect with people - Build relationships with mentors, supervisors, or peers

4.     Go deeper than surface level - Don't just participate; think critically about what you're doing and why

The Bottom Line

Your summer doesn't need to look like anyone else's. The student working 30 hours a week at a local restaurant to help support their family is gaining invaluable real-world skills. The student spending six weeks at an expensive academic program is having a different but not inherently "better" experience. The student creating their own independent project in their bedroom is showing initiative and creativity.

What matters is that you're engaged, learning, and growing. Choose experiences that align with your interests, values, and circumstances. Be thoughtful about how you spend your time. And remember, authenticity and genuine engagement always trump prestige and price tags.

Your summer is yours to design. Make it count.

Have questions about planning your summer or want help thinking through your options? I'm here to help you create a summer plan that works for you and your goals. Connect with me.