School may be out for the summer, but summer is NOT the time to take a vacation from your college planning.
Here are a few college planning tasks that we recommend students do during the summer:
• Volunteer! Take time to volunteer and build your resume. Volunteering also helps you explore your interests, meet people you might not ordinarily meet, and share your talents and knowledge with others.
• Develop Your Resume: Building your resume is an excellent use of time. A student resume highlights your strengths and interests via your activities in and out of school.
• Attend Summer School: Take a course that you know you may struggle with so you have ample time to focus and study. Ask your school counselor, or inquire at your local community college for course availability.
• Job Shadow: Job shadowing has become an excellent way for high school students to try to get an idea about career choice. Even a few hours can help make a decision about whether or not a certain industry is right for you.
• Explore Career Options: Having an understanding of your skills and interests sets you apart. Colleges want to know that you have direction. “Undecided = Undesirable”
• Start researching ACT/SAT prep courses: Getting a feel for what type of course is best for you is very important. On-line, one on one, and do it yourself options are available.
• Begin working on your college essays: If possible, go to colleges of interest and print out a copy their application. This will help give you an idea of what type of questions they are asking you to write about.
• Go on some college visits: Although the summer is not a true snapshot of a college campus because students are not in session, visiting a campus is still a great way to get a feel for a college campus. Take the time to visit a school or two on your family trips this summer.
• Friend Lighthouse College Planning on Facebook to keep up to do with information
Finally, if you have any questions, please be sure to contact us so we can help you.
Volunteer Websites:
www.volunteermatch.org
www.iparticipate.org
www.idealist.org
www.1-800-volunteer.org
www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/kids_teen/index.php