With the busy schedule maintained by students to meet the academic and extracurricular demands of high school life, the holidays offer time to relax and reconnect with loved ones. During the longer school breaks, there will undoubtedly be additional days that students can also use for personal enrichment.
The summer, in particular, represents an opportunity for students to stay engaged by using that unassigned time to indulge in their academic/career interests and preferred hobbies or seek out new experiences. If well used, this time can enable the development of transferable skills and discovery of new passions. In addition, meaningful summer experiences can boost students' personal profiles and demonstrate their industrious nature, both of which are beneficial when completing applications.
Committing to enriching activities during their spare time contributes to the development of competencies that universities and workplaces are seeking in successful applicants. By investing their time in purposeful endeavours, students can showcase on their application a broad range of interests and the emphasis they place on having a balanced life.
Students may choose to:
find a part-time job or work experience placement
join an athletic club or sports academy
travel and immerse themselves in a new culture
attend a multi-activity camp
volunteer at a local organisation
initiate a fundraising project to help people in need
work to raise awareness for a chosen cause
create their own enrichment opportunity that includes opportunities to explore a hobby, conduct research, volunteer, intern, etc.
visit universities through tours and information sessions (check the Admissions page at a specific university)
Grade 11 students staying in the UK can consider finding events such as taster sessions using Uni Taster Days
Another possibility could be one of various structured summer school programs in which students can enrol to gain exposure to a subject area of interest, gain firsthand experience of a specific career or learn a new language. Group or individual university campus tours and pre-college classes are also productive ways to spend time during the summer. Please be aware that universities realize that expensive summer programs can be "bought" experiences that can be worthwhile, but for admissions purposes it is not about doing a summer course at an impressive "place" rather it is about the personal enrichment and growth. Students can also replicate such growth through self-designed programs. Organizing your own program shows a high level of determination, organization and drive that is not present in a paid-for program where opportunities are provided for the student.
Here are some ideas of possible summer activities:
TeenLife.com has ideas for summer experiences including volunteering but also those on university campuses
Summer Discovery has a database of programs at a variety of university campuses as well as further online learning opportunities
Most universities offer summer programs. Target a specific university and Google the university name + summer program
We encourage students to explore cost-free options and create their own initiatives where possible. Further inspiration for self-designed enrichment that demonstrates a student's creativity and initiative:
Look at university's suggestions for extended reading such as Oxford and Cambridge (look for a course, then go to the "Resources" tab within that course). Further options for students looking into Oxford or Cambridge can be found within the Applying to Oxford or Cambridge section of our handbook.
Grade 10 students have Morrisby results that include possible online learning options or articles to read within the suggested careers and/or destinations at 18 (courses of study at university)
Use online enrichment options through EdX courses, Coursera, etc.
Contact local businesses to request an internship / job shadowing experience
Contact local charities to volunteer; vinspired can be a starting place to help with creating these opportunities
Use Unifrog's What does 'wider reading' mean? page for further inspiration of how to explore a potential course of study
Timeout's virtual museum tours
College Express has a great books for summer reading list
Consult with your English teacher and our Upper School Librarian for suggested reading, especially at the end of the school year as TASIS compiles a Summer reading list of fiction and non-fiction books.