Summer is a Crucial Time for High School Students

Summer, though commonly thought to be the season of vacationing and winding down after a busy school year, can be just as hectic for the average high school student, but not without its benefits.

The typical high schooler spends summer break attending various prep-academies, completing school summer assignments, taking online or summer courses, starting college applications, and more. Summer can be a stressful and overwhelming time for teens, as they feel burdened, even obligated, to fit all these tasks within a short, two-month period that should otherwise have been filled with fun and relaxation. But all this work pays off in the long-run.

Every June, students are thrilled finally be able to take a break from the demanding and oppressive environment that is school. Nevertheless, they find themselves tied to yet another set of on-going tasks to complete over summer. Yes, it may be a stressful two months, but then again, isn’t this time beneficial as well?

During this time, students have a chance to overview their courses for the following school year and prepare for the quickly approaching SAT or ACT exams; summer assignments and prep-academies give them that opportunity. Summer assignments allow students to get a feel for the type of work they will be doing in the coming school year and provide a prerequisite for the curriculum. Prep-academies also train students for the competitive nationwide exams.

Then, there are those students who take online or summer courses. These classes may be challenging and time-consuming, but the outcome is advantageous. Taking college classes permits students to build up school credits, and, if their school system allows it, even raise their GPA.

Summer is also the perfect time, especially for seniors, to prepare for college. Not only can seniors research the schools they want to apply to, but they can also get a head-start on their college essays and applications. College essays are a stress-inducing topic in itself, which is the exact reason why students need the two-month vacation to simmer on what to write about, and even begin the process of writing. Students who utilize the two-month break wisely to write their essays can even ask school teachers to look over and revise the essays once the school year begins. Starting early never hurts.

Summer is therefore a crucial time for students. Whether the summer is spent preparing for exams or writing essays, spending the two months proactively will truly benefit high school students in the long run.

As Fairmont Prep senior Diane Kim says, “Attending prep-academies can get you ahead of your peers and ultimately open up more opportunities for you over those who don’t use the summer productively.”