There is nothing more fun than being a teenager finishing a school year in May. Sleeping late and hanging out with friends is a teen’s dream life! Summer also presents an opportunity for teens to volunteer, shadow a career or a summer job. College is right around the corner and looking competitive is very important.

Teens do need “down time” to decompress from the structure of high school, extracurriculars and homework, but not all 90 days of summer. Balance is key. Below are some ideas for teens to make the most of the upcoming 90 days.

Rising seniors should work on their college essays and start college applications. While most college applications open around August 1st, June and July are great times to write essays without school priorities. Submitting college applications long before the deadline increases a student’s chances for merit scholarship dollars.

Rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen also need a plan. This includes incorporating activities they enjoy in ways that will contribute to their community. Activities such as a clean-up project at a local park, or organizing a day camp to introduce young kids interested in cheer, volleyball, basketball, art or something else that can be done in the driveway or backyard, kitchen table or community center nearby. The “camp” can be free and several friends can do it together. Creative ways to give back to your neighborhood community is something colleges will find very interesting. 

Shadowing a professional in a career that a teenager might pursue in college is another great activity to do in the summer. Future engineers, nurses, teachers, physicians, attorneys, accountants or environmentalists all need to better understand what goes on in a “day in the life of…”. Shadowing is not an internship, which is much harder for teens to get.

Teens need to enjoy their summer, but to also be productive. Having a plan is a good idea and now is the time to discuss as a family what the plan might look like. 

If you only get one takeaway from this - encourage your teenager to read. Reading books beyond what they are told to read is another way to become college ready. Reading improves grades, test scores and helps students be more interesting citizens.