These activities allow high schoolers to discover possible careers and can improve a student's college application, education experts say. For most teens, having fun is the main item on the schedule for summer vacation, not learning.
However summer can be a great time for high school students to discover different careers and interests, in addition to prepare for college admissions procedure.
A guidance counselor at Burlington High School in Massachusetts Stephanie Diozzi says, "It may be a really main time of self-discovery". Not all high school students know what they want to learning in college, she says, so they can use the summer to cultivate interests in a low-stress way.
These activities can allow students to expand those new interests and skills, whether they are spending the summer at grandma's house or in their hometown. Advantage, students can consist of these experiences on their college applications.
Discover other ways to create family vacation educational.
Participate in an educational camp or college program-
Diozzi says, a lot of colleges, museums and other organizations propose summer learning opportunities for high school students.
Highly ranked schools as in Yale University and Stanford University offer summer programs for high school students, as do civic organizations such as the Rotary Club.
Summer Programs can be great way for students to search possible majors or areas of interest he says. Many offer financial aid and scholarships for students who want to attend? And students should not rule out these programs even if the enrollment period has ended.
She says, "Call to see if there are any last-minute cancellations. Every now and then families plans change and they have to bow out of a program".
Visit colleges, near and far- Even a ten-minute drive throughout a college near a family's vacation destination would allow teens to get a feel for different types of schools, Diozzi says.
A visit to a school that a teen has no first interest in might have unexpected results too, says Frances Kweller, founder and CEO of Kweller Prep, a New York-based company that? Offers test prep and college admissions advice.
"You never know if there is something there that could appeal to you that you absolutely now wants in a college," she says.
Get a summer job-
Students should not underestimate the importance of small jobs, Diozzi says.
As it may be challenging for a 14 or 15 year-old. To find out a formal. Job, odd jobs like mowing a mature neighbor's lawn are seen in a very positive light by college admissions officers, she says.
She says, "It shows that the student has initiative and that they have taken on a dependable role in their community to the best of their ability".
Job shadow- Diozzi says, observing someone in a field of interest can help students conclude if their intended career path is for them.
She has seen the power of job shadowing in action. One student shadowed a nutritionist for a day and discovered her passion for nutrition? She says the student has committed to go to college to study nutrition and has signed up for other enrichment opportunities.
Diozzi says, "Just that one day spent in the field really made a huge difference and gave her a really strong focus".
Understand that how parents can engage teens in summer learning.
Above all else, students should use the summer to re-energize and explore activities that they may not have time for during the school year, Diozzi says. And it doesn't hurt to talk to the experts.
"We are biased, but they should definitely talk to their guidance counselor and they could certainly help point them in the right direction," says Joe Attubato, guidance director at Burlington High School.