4 Tips for Reshaping Summer Plans
4 Tips for Reshaping Summer Plans
From Olympic athletes to first-time sleepaway campers, people all over the world are watching their summer plans—along with many of their life routines—unravel. There is hopefully some consolation in knowing that we’re all in this together and can emerge stronger and more purposeful!We know it must be disappointing to have to miss experiences that may have been difficult to obtain because of circumstances beyond your control. However, we can control our response to those circumstances and make the best of whatever situation we find ourselves in.As you prepare to head into a still unpredictable summer, here are some tips to keep you moving in the right direction.
Create a Sustainable Routine
The structure you had planned for the summer might not exist anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a new one. Don’t just pass the time aimlessly! Create a schedule, a to-do list, and a plan for how you’re going to seize the day.If you had planned to be at a summer program that was cancelled, use the hours you would have spent as learning hours. If you expected to be working in a lab, use your would-be office hours as a time of personal discovery.It will be easier to return to normal if you maintain as much normalcy as possible. Certainly make time for diversion, chatting with friends, and recuperating from the year. But stay active and engaged.
Jumpstart Your College Applications
Use the time you have to make significant progress on writing essays, studying for tests, identifying the best schools for you, prepping for interviews, and all the other parts of the college process you can work on from the comfort of your own home.The sooner you start, the better you’ll be able to tell your story the way you want to. This doesn’t mean that your entire summer should be dedicated to app work; but by carving out consistent time you can get further ahead than you might otherwise be able to.Demonstrating the “fit” between you and the college in question will be more important than ever this admissions cycle. Even if your access to campus is restricted, you can still show your connection to and understanding of the schools on your list and use that knowledge to create a compelling application.
Build Complementary Skills
If your initial plan or project has been put on hold, use this time to grow your skill set in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. This summer is a great time to take a deep dive down the rabbit hole of intellectual curiosity.Learn a new coding language, or a new spoken one. Take an online course in economics or leadership. Improve your drawing skills from sad stick figures to Pixar worthy. Improve your free throws or hand-eye coordination. Study method acting techniques, magic tricks, or the basics of quantum mechanics from experts through YouTube videos or books.Rather than focus on what isn’t available to you this summer, dedicate your energy to maximizing what is. You may discover a new interest or a gain a deeper appreciation for an old one. You might unlock new connections between your hobbies and your ambitions as well.Embrace the opportunities available to you. Think creatively about how you’ll continue to challenge yourself. And inventory the skills you need to build to become the person you hope to ultimately be.
Be a Good Neighbor
There will continue to be a need to support vulnerable members of your community as well as businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Think about how you can be part of the solution.Perhaps there are ways to amend whatever personal project you had in the works to benefit the elderly or others in need. Perhaps you can use the time you would have spent traveling or attending a summer program helping a local business regain its footing.Now is the time for students to show empathy and initiative to improve their community. Practice being a good neighbor and seeking ways to make a positive impact on those around you, even if it’s one person at a time.Remember, because everyone is affected by what’s going on in the world, admissions officers will understand that your initial plans were probably disrupted. How you adapt and grow will speak volumes about who you are as a person and how desirable an applicant you will be.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us