How to Help Your Student Maximize Their Summer
When we think of summer, we often think of warm weather, vacations, and having all the kids at home. While summer is the perfect season to get some quality family time and relax, it also presents an opportunity for college students to learn new skills and prepare for the fall semester. We have curated a list of five things your college student can do to make the most of their summer while preparing themselves for the upcoming school year. It is never too early to start making connections and pursuing opportunities that will help their personal and professional development.
If you are looking for an extra set of hands to support your student, consider partnering with our team at College Success Plan. Click here to learn more about our services and how you can get your student involved.
#1 Gain Exposure to Careers of Interest
Encourage your student to use some of their summer break to shadow people in careers that are of interest to them. From on-the-job shadowing to conducting informational interviews, this is the perfect time to get some experience and see if a career is for them without the pressure.
#2 Volunteer
Another excellent way to gain experience is to volunteer. In some careers, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology, this is one of the best ways to get practical, hands-on experience and develop skills that will serve your child well as they enter the workforce. School breaks are often the best time to pursue volunteer positions like this since they won’t have the added stress of school work, class, sports, and studying for exams. While it might not be a paid position, it could certainly develop into one should there be a job opening once your student graduates or an aid position becomes available. Remind your child that volunteering is one of the best ways to learn outside of the classroom and summer break is a great time to do that. Positions of this nature typically require minimal, part-time hours, which allows them to spend the rest of their days how they like.
#3 Read a Book Focused on Goal Setting
Not all students love to read during a school break but reading just one book during the summer is a great way to keep your student engaged with personal development as well as the practice of reading. During the school year, there is little to no time for extracurricular reading. Encourage your student to take advantage of their summer vacation by picking up just one book that might interest them. We highly recommend to college students The Defining Decade by Meg Jay. It emphasizes the importance of these formative college and post-college years and will help your student realize the benefit of maximizing every opportunity available to them.
#4 Set Aside Time to Rest & Pause
While there are hundreds of opportunities available to college students during their summer vacation, it is important to set aside time free of commitments. Whether that be a summer vacation with the family, or a few weeks without structured activities when they first return home for summer, creating the space for unstructured time allows your child to recharge and avoid burnout. Just make sure this doesn’t turn into the entire summer!
#5 Get a Head Start on Packing for College
So many families wait until the week before back to school to begin shopping and packing, which can lead to heightened stress and family feuds. To avoid this and make that last week with your child as pleasant as possible, start shopping and packing sooner. Encourage your student to think about what they need for the upcoming school year, especially if it is their first year of college. Many universities will provide packing lists for freshmen, which is an excellent place to start. Back-to-school sales start early, and you should too! If your student is in need of a computer for school, they should begin the shopping process as soon as possible because things are taking longer to come these days! There are also good deals on computers and better warranties if they purchase through their school. Always ask for a student discount! The later you wait to shop and pack, the busier it will be, the less inventory will be available, and more importantly, the higher the potential for added stress.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by supporting your college student, reach out to our team here at College Success Plan. We work with college students across the United States, helping them develop the skills they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond. Click here to book your intro call.