How to Guide Your High Schooler to Make the Most of Their Summer

Summer is a time of freedom and possibility—a break from the usual school routine and a chance to grow in ways that classes don’t always allow. While it might be tempting for your student to spend their summer on autopilot, endless hours of scrolling or sleeping in won’t leave them feeling fulfilled when September rolls around. Here’s how to help your student make this summer their most productive and memorable one yet:

1. Set Personal Goals: Begin by asking your student what they’d like to achieve over the summer. Goals can be academic, personal, or just for fun! Do they want to improve their math skills? Learn to bake? Start a fitness routine? Working with your student to write their goals down can help keep them focused.

2. Explore Your Interests: Summer is a perfect time to dive into hobbies or passions that your student has been curious about. Whether it’s learning guitar, painting, coding, or photography, encourage them to use this free time to experiment and discover what sparks their interest. Have them write down what they learned while exploring their interests: What did I learn (or challenges faced) from this hobby/goal that I didn’t expect? What steps did I take to further engage my interests?

3. Volunteer or Intern: Your student can gain valuable experience while giving back. Finding volunteer opportunities in your community or applying for an internship in a field that excites your student can help build confidence. These experiences also look great on college applications.

4. Learn Something New: Signing up for online courses, watching educational videos, picking up a book on an intriguing topic, or learning just for the sake of curiosity can be incredibly rewarding for students.

5. Stay Active: Keeping physically active is key to maintaining energy and mood. Joining a local sports team, taking up yoga, or simply going for a daily walk or run, can boost your student’s spirits. Exercise is also a great way for them to destress and maintain a balance between activity and relaxation.

6. Prepare for the Future: If your student is heading into junior year, begin working with your student on the college admissions process by having them prepare for the SAT/ACT, or work on a portfolio that they intend to submit to colleges. A bit of effort over the summer can reduce stress during the busy school year.

7. Recharge and Reflect: While productivity is important, make sure your student is taking time to relax and recharge by enjoying some lazy afternoons, exploring nature, or spending time reflecting on their personal growth. Balance is key. By being intentional with their time, your student will return to school in the fall not only refreshed, but with new skills, experiences, and a deeper sense of purpose.