Don't Waste This Summer

Calling every high school student who is NOT about to graduate. Heed this warning: DO NOT WASTE THIS SUMMER! You may have heard the saying, "The competition never sleeps." If you plan on applying to elite schools in the future, you must understand the truth behind this cliche. Don't say I didn't warn you. Don't say you didn't know. I'm informing you now...adopt my 50-30-20 Rule to make sure you're on course to becoming a competitive applicant. Here's how the 50-30-20 Rule breaks down and what you could be doing.

Realistically, summer break is only 2 months of time. Why? Because, if you're involved in fall sports, many schools enforce mandatory practices beginning on August 1, or therabouts. So, you really only have 8 weeks of summer vacation. Take these 8 weeks to make moves that will fast track you ahead of most of your peers who will be competing for a future place at the colleges you'll be applying to (which is coming sooner than you think!).

50% of your time this summer, about 4 weeks in total, should be about growing your interests. This includes career curiosities and potential fields of study. Starting this early will benefit you later, as colleges love to see loooonnnnng term involvement that digs deeper and deeper into your interest. If you start this the summer before your senior year, how deep could you really dig? But, don't despair if you have not begun, starting at all will provide some depth, which is better than nothing. These types of experiences not only help you understand the viability of what you "think" you want to do, it also provides great material for those essay supplementals that you'll no doubt be writing when you do apply to colleges. There's lots of preplanning involved here, so make sure you begin looking into your potential plans during late fall or early spring for the best opportunities. Here are some ways you could spend your 4 weeks.

• Research Project

• Career Shadowing Opportunity

• Internship

• Hospital/Shelter Volunteer

• Attend a Reputable Summer Pre-College Program (many applications are due around March 1!)

• Take a FREE, online course in an area of interest

30% of your time this summer, about 2.5 weeks, will be dedicated to personal growth. Yes, you'll grow as a person while exploring your career interests, but these couple weeks are much more personal and revolve around you. Decide what's important to you? What do you think the world could be doing better? How can you contribute to that improvement? These exploratory questions begin with you, but evolve into expanding to the greater good of a community beyond yourself. It's only through this action where you will find yourself, by interacting with others. It doesn't matter what you choose to do, as long as what you do is what is important to you. Do you love animals? Coordinate a blanket collection drive. Does your heart bleed for children in hospitals? Organize a reading hour on the children's floor. The point is, find what tugs at your heart strings, then figure out how you (or gather others to help you) can make a difference. I promise, something will happen to you! Some call this intangible growth maturity, but whatever you call it, doing something you believe in takes courage to start and discipline to follow through. You never know where it will lead, but you'll know you'll become a better person because of it. Here are some ways you could spend these 2.5 weeks.

• Organize a drive or fundraising campaign

• Develop a new club that impacts others in the community

• Offer your time where needed

• Get a job! (this will develop you in a personal way - more than you can ever imagine)

• Take some time for yourself to reflect on what you want, who you are, and where you are going

• Go deeper into a hobby that interests you

• Journal

20% of your time this summer, a little over 1.5 weeks, should be about getting some good rest and relaxation. I'm not an ogre, you know! Balance between work, play, and downtime are essential to leading a happy life. Give yourself permission to take this time to do nothing. Some of the best ideas and inspirations come from boredom - so embrace the do-nothing mantra, but don't let it last beyond 1.5 weeks. This time will also include any family vacations you might be on, not in addition to (just want to make sure this is clear).

Yeah, you'll also have those pesky summer assignments to finish, but you could start that on August 1. Get into a routine, get your head back into the game, and be proud that who you were at the start of summer is not who you will be on that first day of classes. You'll be better, wiser, and more intune to what you want for your life, and you'll be better equipped to make it happen for yourself. Have a productive summer.

Keep growing!!