How To Create a Truly Epic Summer in 3 Steps

“I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald 

For many of us, summer is by far the best time of year. It’s a time to relax and have fun, and as all manner of writers have pointed out: it’s a time to build memories. If you’re giving any thought to a memorable summer, here are three simple steps to ensure yourself a good (and maybe even rewarding) time. 

1. Make a Plan and Write It Down. 

There’s a reason they call it “the power of the written word”. When we write stuff down it’s likely to have more meaning. Something about the actual effort involved makes us more likely to do what we say we’re going to do. So set aside part of a notebook and devote it to your summer plan. 

Start by creating a basic framework: 

• Make a list of goals for the summer 
• Create a timetable (break it down by week) 
• Evaluate your resources and estimate your summer funds  
• Decide to work, travel, learn…or all three? 
• Update your resume and begin applying to local restaurants/camps 

2. "Up" Your Summer Bragging Rights with an Awesome Course 

You’re in high school. Now is the time to investigate, explore and identify areas of interest and pursue related coursework on your own. These activities can help you understand what you are good at and what you might want to do when you grow up. 

While you might think that it’s a choice between a summer vacation, a summer job, and a class, it’s not – you can do all three. How, you ask? There are many 7-10 day learning programs that we offer for a truly exceptional summer experience. 

By devoting a relatively short amount of time to learning, you can gain several things: 

1. You will get a leg up on college preparation 
2. You will achieve the personal satisfaction and bragging rights that come when you voluntarily undertake an exciting learning-based project
3. You will have more varied experience for your college application

Envision programs bring together students from all over that share interests to explore a career topic in depth. Investigate a career path in government, science, or the digital world. Learn what the route to becoming a doctor, politician, lawyer or broadcast journalist looks like…and have a blast doing it! The possibilities are endless. 

The best part of summer is that you get two – and, depending upon where you live, sometimes three -- months to enjoy it. You can get a lot accomplished in that time, which means you can go to the lake (or beach or mountains or camping), learn a little something and still earn some money. 

3. Do Your Research and Talk to Your Parents about Your Plans 

Knowledge is power and you have unlimited amounts of information at your fingertips. Once you have plotted a summer plan, research available programs. There are many programs you can select from so ask more questions to find the best fit for you: 

• What are the program features? 
• Do they offer any college credit? 
• Do they offer any sort of financial assistance or fundraising opportunities?  
• Who are the instructors/faculty? 
• Do they have a proven track record? 
• What are your peers saying about them on social media? 
• How much does it cost? 

Do your research and be prepared with the facts when you discuss your desire to attend a summer program with your parents. Opting for summer activities that include a learning component indicates real maturity and demonstrates that you are actually thinking about your future. These are characteristics parents, teachers and colleges all appreciate.