Found an old thread about this, then forgot its name… Feel free to add to the list!
- Finish the school year successfully (important, do not skip!!!)
- Learn how to do laundry (sooooo many threads on that if Wikihow doesn't help)
- Figure out the mystery of time management
- Think of all the escapades you'll do at BS (without breaking the rules, of course)
- Plan out a study program for the summer (be prepared to prep!)
- Make an extensive packing list, then cross out half of it (also many threads on that)
- Plan all your courses (and maybe ECs)
- For int. students - do all the visa stuff
- Plan the dorm room decorations - and contemplate whether to bring that giant Halloween spider to hang on the door as a trophey
- Browse all the threads on CC
Regarding #5 what are you planning to study over the summer?
I have always given my kids the summer off, no summer school, no school work. I think kids need mental breaks. Both my kids are huge readers so that is the one thing they do that is good for their brains.
@dogsmama1997 I’m taking an Intro to Business class through a local U and going through Calc 1 topics, but that’s just me.
I’m not going to any summer program, so I’m just planning to read a bunch of books ranging from sci-fi to philosophy (I’m definitely not talking about Kant, more like introductory stuff). Also I might be traveling on a budget with my friends.
@CavsFan2003 Wow, Are you going to be a sophomore? Looking at Calc now feels really early!
@sparkatzz Yeah, but a repeat!
@sparkatzz I’m a freshman and I’m just about done with Calc 1 right now. As long as you have a solid foundation in algebra and know enough trig, you’re good to go.
I didn’t think that it was early but the only negative I found about going through math at such a fast pace was that I didn’t really have the time to solidify some mathematical skills.
Next year at PA, I’ll probably retake either precalc or calc, and I’m willing to bet it’s more likely the former.
Don’t stress about #3 time management. You will figure that out once you start.
@YoungThriver You’re going to Phillips Andover? Congrats!
I was accepted to PEA freshman year but after a long debate with my parents we decided not to go. I can stand out at my local public school, do a lot of APs and more ECs compared to drowning in the competition at PEA.
I’m also taking Calc 1 as a freshman, and I agree with you on how the fast pace resulted in shaky math skills. That’s why I barely have a B+. If I were to go to PEA next year I would honestly retake one of the two; math courses at PEA and PA are an entirely different level.
@dogsmama1997 i’m actually studying a lot over the summer–by my own choice! i’m planning to compete in physics, so there’s that, and i also need to solidify my calculus to help with e&m. if i have extra time, i also have to study for the sat and sat2. beyond that, i want to get into astronomy + astrophysics and aeronautical engineering just for fun… but i don’t think that’s going to be easy for me with time constraints(oops).
as an extra note about calc: my school is kind of wack, where people taking calc ab-bc as a freshman and calc iii soph. year are actually the majority. i came from a different middle school than the usual (magnet) feeder to my current HS, so i’m one year behind (which i’m still kind of irked by but ok). however, i definitely agree with the statement that rushing math is difficult and results in some otherwise avoidable struggles.
here’s some additions to the list because i don’t want to completely derail the thread:
15) if you’re planning to join a sport and aren’t currently an athlete, maybe work out and get in shape so that you don’t struggle with just overall fitness and endurance.
16) figure out how traveling to and from school will be like for you (eg. airports, bus lines, trains) (if applicable)
Practical things to do over summer for students & parents:
- Get all your medical appointments and prescriptions in order for school.
2.Complete all necessary documents early so you are not stressed in August.
- Parents - make your hotel & car reservations NOW for Parents Weekend.
- Start looking for lower airfares for Holiday travel in December. Some flights book very early and some are very expensive on key travel dates from Boston, Hartford, NY.
- Book your Hotel/Car for school drop off in September. FWIW - we were able to rent 2 large cars at a cheaper rate than one SUV in September.
- Order dorm items online or in advance via your local Target, Walmart, or BB& BY for in-store pick up near your boarding school.
- Start thinking about the non-parent emergency contacts you will need to write down on the school forms. We had an additional form sent to us in August @ permission to pick up in case of emergency.