Maximizing Your Summer: A Guide to College Application Preparation
You can still have fun while getting ahead with your college applications.
There are some small things you can do during the summer that will not take up too much time but will set you up for success on your college application journey.
“But Mooooommmmm, it’s summer break…I don’t want to do college stuff!” How many parents have heard this statement and received an eye roll to go along with it when you’ve asked your teen to spend some time preparing for college over the summer? Teens, how many of you have responded in a similar way? When I think of how I wanted to spend my summer days as a teen, working on college applications was not on the list. I wanted to spend my days at the pool and my nights with friends. As a recovering procrastinator, I get it! If you’re open to advice, I think there are some small things you can do during the summer that will not take up too much time but will set you up for success on your college application journey.
3 Strategies
Create a college day! Let’s call it To-Do Tuesday (but really you can pick any day of the week). Set aside 2-4 hours on your selected day and devote that time to prepare for going to college. Make an iced coffee or grab your favorite snack, set a timer, and focus on your tasks. This way you only have to think about college once a week and you make progress!
Consider one thing you can accomplish this summer that will make applying for college easier. Is it getting all your essays done or making a final list of schools you want to apply to? Then break that one goal into smaller steps to be completed over three months. You’ll enter the school year with a weight off your back! Check out author Gary Keller’s book The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results to learn more about this strategy.
Set aside a power 30 minutes every day. Already have something you do every day? Let’s say you scroll on TikTok after getting home from work each day. You come in the door, you throw your stuff down, and you plop on the couch which is your cue to start scrolling. Instead of scrolling, keep a notebook and a device other than your phone by the couch. Set a timer for 30 minutes and work on preparing for college. Research scholarships, work on your list of schools, or brainstorm for your essays for 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, you can pick up your phone and continue with your normal routine. Working a little bit every day at the same time will help you to develop the habit of preparing for college.
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3 Small Steps (One for Each Grade)
Sophomores: Explore extracurricular activities to build your resume. Use the summer to discover your passions and interests. Join clubs, sports teams, or community organizations that align with your interests. You could also consider finding a job or volunteering at a local organization. This will not only help you find things that interest you but also help to develop resume points for when it comes time to showcase your involvement on college applications.
Juniors: Start building your college list by researching and exploring different institutions. Look into factors such as location, size, majors offered, and campus culture. Attend virtual college fairs, take virtual campus tours, and read student reviews to gather valuable insights.
Seniors: Start brainstorming and outlining your college essays. Take the time to reflect on meaningful experiences, personal growth, or challenges you've overcome. Seek feedback from teachers, counselors, or trusted mentors as you craft your essays. Want help with your essays? College Trek Consulting offers essay coaching, and we’d love to help you through the process. Contact me if you’re interested.
*Bonus for Seniors…because I want you to enjoy your whole senior year and not be so stressed during first semester. Over the summer make a list of who you are going to ask to do your letters of recommendation. Think about teachers, counselors, coaches, work supervisors, youth ministers, or other mentors who can provide strong letters of recommendations. You want to ask them by September to give them plenty of time to write a glowing rec!
3 Supportive Tips for Parents
Host a weekly college morning. Make brunch, have a homemade coffeeshop and invite your teens’ friends over to work on their next steps. It’s always more fun when you get to spend time with friends and people can be more productive when coworking.
Meet your child where they’re at! Help them to employ strategies that you have seen work in the past for schoolwork to the college preparation process. Do they work better in chunks or small doses? Do they do better sitting at the table or curled up on the couch? Help them to utilize the study skills that work for them.
Consider a weekly 15-minute check-in about what they’re working on and where they need support. College can often be a stressful topic, so it can help to have a set day and time where both parties can expect the conversation. Teens feel less bombarded, and parents can get an update…a win for both parties!
Summer break provides an excellent opportunity to make progress on the college application journey. By implementing a time strategy that works for you and focusing on specific tasks tailored to your grade level, you can effectively utilize this time to get ahead. If you’re still rolling your eyes and huffing (I definitely would have been), think about future you. Think about how grateful future you will be and how much less stress future you will have if you do just a little work this summer! Being proactive and engaged during the summer months can significantly contribute to a successful college application process. Good luck…you got this!
Gail Nichols, Independent College Consultant for over 12 years. Helping students to find their college is my passion.
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