BY:SUZANA GUZMAN
Staff writer
1. Start your research-
Forget about choosing an activity based on what your friends are doing or what you did last year. Summer break is an exciting opportunity for students to expand their horizons and step outside of their comfort zones, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Consider looking into academic programs that relate to your favorite classes, specialized programs that will empower you to expand your skillset, and volunteer opportunities that relate to causes you truly care about. Some students may research activities that take place at colleges they are interested in so they can get a sense of campus life. Others may opt to stay closer to home and make an impact on their local community.
2. Weight pros and cons-
There is no one-size-fits-all summer activity that will fit the needs of every student. Instead, it’s important to reflect on your long-term goals and preferences and pinpoint the opportunities that best align with your personal circumstances. If you’re torn between several different options, making a list of pros and cons surrounding each choice can help ease the decision process. Write down a few bullet points on what excites you about each opportunity as well as what you are hesitant about. The activity ideas that excite you the most are likely the options that you should most seriously consider.
3. Start off on the right foot-
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your upcoming activities. At least a month prior to the start of summer, think about what you’ll need to do to feel as prepared as possible on your first day. This might mean packing for a month of travel, finishing up required reading, or stocking up on supplies for a trip.