Summer break doesn’t have to be a choice between fun and productivity. With a little extra planning, it can be the perfect time to explore interests, gain real-world experience, and still enjoy this time off from school.
Whether you want to strengthen your resume, discover new passions, or just prepare for the next school year, several summer activities will allow you to be productive and have time for things you enjoy.
As a high school senior, I understand the importance of summer breaks, not just for de-stressing, but for getting ahead and stacking activities for that college application. Early in the calendar year (AKA right now!!) is the best time to apply or plan for these activities.
You don’t have to cram your schedule with things to fill your resume but choosing one or two meaningful activities to pursue throughout the break can make your summer both productive and fulfilling.
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1. Interning at a Non-Profit
Working as an intern for a non-profit is a great way to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a cause you care about. Many nonprofits welcome high school students to help with outreach, social media, or research.
These internships teach responsibility and teamwork, also helping you understand how real-world organizations work behind the scenes. Choose something you’re passionate about, like sustainability or technological accessibility, and research related organizations that might be willing to offer opportunities to high schoolers.
Even if they don’t explicitly state that they take interns, reaching out and showing interest through email or phone can open doors that you didn’t know existed.
2. Working a Summer Job
A summer job builds more than just savings. Working at a summer camp, café, pool, or local business teaches time management and accountability. It’s more difficult to find paid jobs for high schoolers directly related to a college major, especially in STEM fields, but real work experience nonetheless demonstrates a high-level responsibility on your resume.
Jobs requiring interaction with other people or customers, in particular, help develop leadership and collaboration skills, especially when working with kids. Plus, earning your own money makes summer feel rewarding in a tangible way.
3. Volunteering at Community Organizations
Volunteering at places like libraries, food banks, youth centers, or animal shelters allows you to give back while building commitment and empathy.
Consistent volunteering shows initiative and care for your community, and it often leads to meaningful connections with mentors and peers. It can also help you discover interests you never expected to enjoy. However, like with other activities, you should choose something genuinely meaningful and important to you.
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Extracurriculars
4. Writing for an Online Magazine (like The Teen Magazine!)
Writing for an online publication, such as The Teen Magazine, is a creative way to sharpen your voice and share ideas with a real audience. Whether you enjoy personal essays, opinion pieces, or informational articles, publishing your work builds confidence and communication skills.
Publication platforms offer the creative freedom to cover whatever topics interest you, often also granting the flexibility to simply write whenever you have free time. It also demonstrates initiative and passion, especially if you consistently contribute over time.
5. Exploring a New Hobby
Not every resume booster has to be academic. Learning photography, cooking, music production, or a new sport builds discipline and personal growth. These hobbies can turn into long-term passions and often make you more interesting and well-rounded as a student.
College applications usually offer a place to list your hobbies and non-academic passions, and it’s one of the easiest ways to add meaningful activities to your resume.
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Academics
6. Taking Summer Classes
Summer is an ideal time to explore academic interests without the pressure of a full course load. Many community colleges offer credits for high school students, allowing you to get ahead of the game and take courses your school might not offer.
Online classes are also offered through a variety of programs, making advanced or interesting coursework accessible and helping you dive deeper into subjects you are curious about. Websites like MIT OpenCourseWare also offer access to full, advanced coursework for public access.
7. Self-Studying
If taking summer classes isn’t something that interests you, but you still want to get ahead academically, some students opt to self-study for future classes or AP exams. This can make future school years and workloads much more manageable and can be important and impressive to include on a college application or resume.
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Making the Most of Your Summer
The best summer activities are ones that challenge you while still letting you enjoy your break. Productivity does not have to mean constant stress. By choosing experiences that align with your interests, you can end the summer feeling both refreshed and accomplished.
