Junior year is not a joke. It’s long, hard and simultaneously mentally and physically tiring. During those last harrowing spring months when you’re fighting through AP exams, varied extracurriculars and a tirade of ‘where do you want to go to college’ based questions, the only thing you want to do during the summer is lie on the beach and have fun with your friends. Well, I’m sad to say that this might not be the best option.
Yes, the last couple of summers, you could get away with basically doing nothing the whole summer and then cramming for the last couple of weeks to get all your summer work done. However, if you continue this same pattern, there might finally be some long-lasting consequences.
Summer presents the perfect opportunity for juniors to get a head start on college applications, if you’re planning on applying. Some of the more specific essay prompts from the CommonApp (Common Application) will be released at the beginning of August, nevertheless, you can easily get your personal statement, activities list and recommendation letters out of the way.
A personal statement is an essay typically around 500 words that allows you to showcase your unique qualities, interests and experiences to college admissions. Simply having an idea of what you want to write or creating an outline can be tremendously helpful in the college application process, as a typical student weakness is the lack of experience writing about oneself.
If you’re completely unsure of what to write your personal statement about, your junior year summer is also a great time to participate in an experience you could write about. Internships, volunteer opportunities or programs are all good ways to do this.
Junior year and junior summer are something college admissions generally focus on, specifically wanting to see if you’re taking purposely harder classes and participating in notable opportunities. Doing absolutely nothing all summer doesn’t really send the message that you’re a hard worker or have goals, and additionally will make that transition back into the whirlwind of school and college applications that much more difficult.
Nevertheless, I still want to emphasize the importance of balance. It goes the same for the other way, if you just work work work 24/7 all summer, you’re going to come back to school burned out and hating life. You can’t pack it full and never give yourself a break; the best way for me is to do a week on, a week off. Spend one week volunteering and then the next hanging out with your friends— it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Spend the summer having fun, but end it feeling accomplished and prepared for the upcoming school year. I know it’s easier said than done, but hold yourself accountable, and trust me, it’ll pay off.
