<p>I didn’t think of applying for scholarships this summer.
I did think about spending time with friends, but I never thought of it in the perspective that the relationships with them may change in college…
I think that’s another thing I want to place on my list now, too.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Also, my two-cents:
I think preparing for college over the summer is a great idea, but you’ll have to be very disciplined (which will a good skill for college anyway, right?).</p>
<p>This is a good list.
I’m trying to decide if a job is a good idea…I worked at a chick-fil-a last summer and it was okay, but the scheduling was annoying. I kind of want this summer to be relaxed. I don’t think I really NEED the $$ in the fall, but it could be nice…any advice?</p>
<p>^ whenever I decided I want to have a nice, relaxing break I usually get tired of the boredom after a couple of weeks, lol! But once I’m back working I just get frustrated…</p>
<p>If you don’t think you’ll need the money then relax. Maybe look for internships and volunteer. Just make sure you won’t need that money in the future when you might not have a job.</p>
<p>A parent here. There are a couple of tasks that you can learn to do (if you haven’t already) that will make getting used to college a tiny bit easier.
Start doing your own laundry.
Get a debit card and start using it.</p>
<p>I was going to take a summer class, but now i think i’ll just enjoy my last summer as a kid. :)</p>
<p>Do not skim textbooks, but read one or two books that are challenging relative to your normal reading ability. Learn a few vocabulary words. If your college is going to have placement testing in the fall, review your math and foreign language- you may place out of required courses that way. And definitely enjoy yourself and fit in any travel or even day trips that you can.</p>
<p>I vote for getting a job. This for many people is the first time they have enough time to commit to a job because they don’t have to worry about their college applications. Someone earlier said they recommend this option only for those who need the spending money. The spending money is certainly a major benefit, but I think its important to have the experience. Moreover, even if your summer salary seems like nothing next to that of your parents, they will definitely appreciate you offering to pitch in for whatever you want to use it for.
I got a fun summer job as a camp counselor. It wasn’t ideal to be away from home and hs friends right before school, but their are other options (day camp even) and don’t think your options are limited to indoor retail jobs if those sound boring to you.
As for how to go about getting this job, most openings are already filled at this point because of the economy, but it is still worth looking-there is surely something available. For retail and restaurants --just go up to the register and ask if they have any openings & for an application. Things like lifeguard, country club or camp counselor jobs you may need to call. A lot of my friends babysat for a family or two, and most of them really enjoyed doing it, depending on the family. For this you probably want to go through your parents and see if any of their friends with young kids are looking for someone. This is less of an official job, but it pays really well and you will probably have an easier time finding this type of job than others if they are already filled.<br>
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for contributing your experiences.</p>
<p>What i’d do:</p>
<p>Take (a) course(s) of your interest. I’m planning to take Non-Linear Algebra the summer before college.</p>
<p>Volunteer somewhere that’s related to your prospective career. Im planning to shadow a doctor every summer starting next summer, and volunteer at a local hospital.</p>
<p>Get a job. The cash really helps with all the fun you’ll be having…honestly, it’s hard to earn enough over 3 months (more like 2.5) to make a significant dent in your college loans. Of course, something like $500 is small, but paying off adds up. The earlier u pay it off the better.</p>
<p>Look for scholarships. Like a previous poster said, once ur a college student, theres almost no point in trying.</p>
<p>Connect with friends and family for the last time, you won’t be in close contact with a lot of them for a while…college is a tough ride, and you most likely won’t be taking anyone else along with you. But relax, there are people just like you at w/e college you go to - new to school and looking for friends.</p>
<p>Have fun? Ya, it’s cliched…but this is that period of time when ur an adult but have no bills to pay…so ya. </p>
<p>Good luck with your future.</p>
<p>Vacations, or video games, I guess… ;)</p>
<p>I’m in the same situaton as the OP – I’ll be going away to college in the fall. My goal for the summer is to not take things too seriously. This is going to be the last summer before everything changes drastically, and probably, the last summer with all of my friends in one place at one time. So I plan on living it up.</p>
<p>I’ll be in Europe for two and a half weeks of July. Then, I’ll have a job to consume my time during the week. The nights and weekends will be filled with beach time, trips to local places with friends, parties, staying out all night, and just general crazy teenage-ness. Because, I guess, this is our last chance for it.</p>
<p>Taking a class over the summer? Hell no. I’m going to relax before I dig into academia again in September.</p>
<p>If this were Facebook, I would definitely “like” the post above me. :)</p>
<p>In the dull, but necessary, department:
Set up a bank and checking account by July, so you have your checks in hand before you leave for school.</p>
<p>Talk to your parents about student health insurance. For some, it may be better to switch to a plan offered by the college, especially if it far from home and the providers will be out of network for your parents’ plan. You’ll need to “opt-out” of school plans by August 1 or so; don’t leave this decision to the last minute.</p>
<p>Schedule a physical exam early in summer and make sure you have any vaccination requirements done.</p>
<p>Schedule a dental exam - you are close to the age where you may need your wisdom teeth extracted. This has to be scheduled carefully because you need recuperation time and cannot fly within a few days after surgery.</p>
<p>Relax and do whatever you wanted to do (but never had the time to do in high school). Trust me, this is the last free summer where you very few obligations (i.e. trying to secure internships, volunteering, research, etc.). Spend time with high school friends, pursue your passions, and rest. You’ve earned it.</p>
<p>If you are planning on doing a reputedly tough major like Engineering or Math, a few books of introduction to the college concepts wouldn’t hurt :)</p>
<p>Get a job if you really want to and/or need the money, but I wouldn’t highly recommend it.</p>
<p>I think the summer before college is your last real hurrah of childhood. Be somewhat irresponsible and just take some time off to relax. Spend as much time with your friends as you can. Family, too. I’m so glad I just relaxed last summer…I had really overworked myself in high school and it was nice to go into college refreshed and ready to get back in the game. </p>
<p>And that, in my opinion, is really worth thinking about. If you spend your whole summer working or taking classes, you’ll be burned out by October. But if you relaxed for most of the summer, you’ll be ready to go into college with a fresh perspective and a relaxed mind.</p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>
<p>i think getting into a work-out routine is a good idea too. in college learning to staying fit and healthy is just as important as learning in the classroom. Learn to keep yourself excersing even a little bit each day over the summer.</p>
<p>thats one thing on my agenda anyway, since all i do these days is sit around bummin’</p>
<p>I definitely say spend more time with your family. I have found more than anything I miss my family and the simple things such as sunday night cookouts or my dad sleeping on the couch, my mom always talking on the phone. I know it sounds soooo cheesy but when I’m stressed I long for those things. & when you’re on break really, really cherish your time home. I cry every time I have to leave because I miss my home so much.</p>
<p>Also, put together a list of things you need/want to take to school. I waited until the last minute thinking I was only going to take clothes and a few other things but there is so much you forget about. I was so stressed move in day. </p>
<p>Go through your class schedule, look at a map. </p>
<p>Also, look at a list of groups or organizations your school offers and look into them online (meeting times, dates of rush for greek life, tryout, etc) so that you are prepared and not caught off guard or miss a time. I wish I had done this prior to school because I missed out on formal rush but luckily they had informal rush. I also missed out on essential meetings for certain organizations that need to be applied for.</p>
<p>Have fun (:</p>