Winter Is the Best Time to Plan Your Summer for College Admissions Success
Summer is the best time to enjoy activities that really interest you.
Using winter break and term to plan your summer is one of the smartest moves you can make in high school. It gives you first pick of the good stuff and the time to build a summer that actually fits you, not whatever’s left over in May.
Using winter break and term to plan your summer is one of the smartest moves you can make in high school. It gives you first pick of the good stuff and the time to build a summer that actually fits you, not whatever’s left over in May. Summer is the longest stretch of open time you’ll get all year, and using even part of it with intention can boost your confidence, skills, and future college applications while still leaving plenty of room to rest.
Why summer matters
Summer finally gives you room to breathe from daily homework and grades, so you can try new things, go deeper into an interest, or finally start a project you never have time for during the year. With fewer distractions, it’s a lot easier to figure out what you actually enjoy instead of just what fits into your school schedule.
Colleges don’t need you to attend fancy, name-brand programs, but they do pay attention when you spend your time with purpose, whether that’s a job, helping your family, volunteering, taking a class, or building something on your own. What really matters is the story you can tell about why you chose an experience and what you learned from it.
Prestige vs. real learning
You don’t need a “prestigious” program to impress colleges; many selective programs mostly signal that you were already strong, not that they magically made you impressive. Admissions officers care far more about consistent effort, real impact, and honest reflection than the brand name on a brochure.
Some of the most powerful summers come from things like a local job, a free or low-cost community program, or a self-designed project that shows initiative if you can clearly explain how an experience helped you grow - becoming more responsible, exploring a possible major, or supporting your community, which will stand out much more than just listing a big-name camp.
Why winter is the perfect time
Winter time (especially December–February) is prime time for summer planning because so many camps, programs, and internships open applications early and fill up fast. Starting now gives you time to explore options, ask questions, and meet deadlines, rather than scrambling at the end of the school year.
Winter also gives you a natural pause to reflect: what did you enjoy this fall, what stressed you out, and what do you want to do differently next year? Spending even a couple of hours over winter break thinking this through can help you design a summer that supports your goals instead of just adding more random busyness.
Get Guidance for Your College Journey
College Trek Consulting sends out tips and resources for navigating the college journey.
A simple way to plan your summer
When you think about summer, aim to mix and match from a few key areas. Your plan doesn’t have to hit everything, but choosing even two or three can create a strong, balanced summer.
Academic growth (if useful): A community college or online class in a subject you like, a local STEM or arts program, or targeted review in a tough class can help you stay sharp and explore possible majors. This is about smart, focused learning, not loading yourself with extra busywork.
Real-world experience: Part-time jobs, camp counseling, family business work, or small internships build responsibility, communication, and independence while giving you real stories to share later.
Service and community impact: Volunteering with a local nonprofit, coaching younger kids, helping at the library, or starting a simple community project shows that you notice needs around you and are willing to act.
Passion projects: Use your free time to build something that reflects who you are, like a blog, YouTube channel, art portfolio, coding project, or neighborhood event, which can also become great material for future essays.
Rest and well-being: Time outside, reading for fun, sleep, family time, and hobbies help you reset so you don’t burn out heading into the next school year.
Winter is your chance to design this kind of summer on purpose instead of by accident, and it doesn’t have to be perfect or packed to matter. Focus less on prestige and more on what you’ll actually learn and who you’ll become. Your summer will keep paying off long after it ends.
Gail Nichols, Independent College Consultant for over 12 years. Helping students to find their college is my passion.
Work With Us
College Trek Consulting offers programs for families navigating the college process. Get in touch to discuss your plan.
