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How Rising Sophomores and Juniors Can Make the Most of Summer

 

Summer break is the perfect time for high school students to recharge, explore interests, and build experiences outside the classroom. For rising sophomores and juniors, it’s also an ideal window to start laying the foundation for a meaningful and well-rounded college application. That doesn’t mean cramming your schedule or stressing over “doing enough”, but a few intentional choices can go a long way.

Here are some top ways students can make the most of their summer:

1. Volunteer for a Cause That Matters to You
Colleges value students who give back, even more so when the service is consistent and personally meaningful. Whether it’s helping at a local food bank, coaching youth sports, assisting at a senior center, or supporting a community garden, find something that aligns with your interests. Look for opportunities to grow leadership, responsibility, or communication skills.

Tip: Keep a short journal of your experiences. It’ll help when it’s time to write essays or describe your activities later.

2. Explore Academic Interests
If there’s a subject you’re curious about, now’s the time to dig in. That could mean taking a community college course, completing a free online class (like through Coursera or edX), or reading books and articles related to a possible major. Demonstrating intellectual curiosity is a great way to show colleges that you’re motivated and engaged.

3. Get a Summer Job or Internship
Paid or unpaid, work experience teaches valuable skills like time management, problem-solving, and collaboration. A job scooping ice cream, bussing tables or lifeguarding can be just as impressive as an internship. What matters is showing initiative and reliability.

4. Start (or Continue) an Independent Project
Summer is a great time for independent projects: writing, coding, building something, launching a blog, learning an instrument, or creating art. Projects like these can be deeply fulfilling and show commitment to personal growth.

5. Visit a Few College Campuses (Even Virtually)
If your family has travel planned, see if there are colleges nearby you can stop at for a tour. Many schools also offer virtual sessions and webinars. As a rising junior, you can start to build a sense of what environments feel like a good fit. (Rising sophomores can keep it low-key but observational!)

6. Read
Reading (fiction, nonfiction, news, or even listening to podcasts and documentaries) expands your worldview and builds vocabulary and writing skills. Set a personal goal; for example, a book a month or a few articles a week. 

Summer should include rest and fun too! But by choosing one or two meaningful activities, you can use this time to learn more about yourself, build confidence, and take small steps toward the future.