School’s Out: 12 Ways to Have a Fun and Meaningful Summer

The final bell has rung—or it’s about to. Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to create a break that is both restorative and meaningful: a time to chill and invest in yourself and others. The bonus? You’ll not only feel more fulfilled—you’ll also build experiences that strengthen your college application and deepen your personal growth.

Whether you’re applying to college, exploring careers, engaging in research, gaining real-world experience, or simply picking up a new hobby, here are 12 smart and satisfying ways to make the most of your summer:

ONE: College Applications and Admissions Prep

Class of 2026: The Common App essay prompts are confirmed. While individual college applications officially open on August 1, you can complete most of the Common App ahead of time—it will roll over into the 2025–26 cycle. Use the summer to draft your personal statement, finalize your college list, and complete as much of the application as possible. You'll thank yourself in the fall.

Class of 2027: Lay a strong foundation now. Reflect on your interests, explore potential majors, make an SAT/ACT plan, and take stock of your academic and extracurricular profile (i.e., craft a resume). Start visiting campuses (virtually or in-person) and get familiar with what makes a good college fit. Don’t forget—some colleges track demonstrated interest as part of their holistic review process.  Click HERE for additional information on demonstrated interest.

💡 Expert Tip: Strategic planning now reduces stress later and helps you apply with purpose.

TWO: Volunteer

Volunteering isn’t just good for the community—it’s good for your heart, your confidence, and your future. Research shows it improves mental health and gives students a competitive edge in college and career. Most importantly, you become a better person! Opportunities are everywhere: food banks, libraries, museums, animal shelters, hospitals, religious institutions, and more. Reach out to your church, synagogue, mosque, etc.. Contact your local library, humane society, museums, food banks, or soup kitchens. Ask ChatGPT to make a list of teen volunteer opportunities in your community.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate compassion and social awareness through meaningful volunteer work. 

THREE: Get a Job

A personal favorite—a summer job is a fantastic way to gain real-world skills, earn money, and learn how to manage your time. Plus, employment experience demonstrates maturity and independence—qualities that colleges and employers value.

💡 Expert Tip: Build confidence, discipline, and independence through a paid position.

FOUR: Intern or Shadow a Professional

Internships and shadowing experiences can give you an inside look at careers that interest you. While harder for teens to come by than volunteer and job opportunities, they’re worth the effort. Ask parents, teachers, or mentors for introductions—or reach out directly to professionals in your field of interest. Not sure where to begin? Use Google, click HERE, and/or conduct informational interviews.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate purpose, motivation, and direction by exploring your career goals now.

FIVE: Read

Reading helps you think deeply and communicate clearly—two skills that are essential for success. Choose books that challenge your thinking, broaden your perspective, or explore a topic you’re passionate about. Need ideas? Click HERE for a list of books assigned by top colleges and personal favorites.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate literacy through reading.

SIX: Write

Journaling or free writing just a few times a week builds self-awareness, fluency, and confidence—all essential for crafting strong essays later. Whether you're reflecting on your day or diving into deep questions, writing helps you process and grow.

While you can write about anything that comes to mind, if you want a little inspiration or prefer a more structured approach—click HERE for a free copy of the Fine Educational Solutions Summer Journaling resource, which includes a list of thought-provoking prompts in an easy-to-use electronic format to inspire your analytical and creative potential.

💡 Expert Tip: Think critically while building creativity, clarity, and confidence through consistent writing.

SEVEN: Take a Free Online Course

Dive into a subject just because it fascinates you. Platforms like edX, Coursera, and Udemy offer free courses on everything from creative writing to coding to business strategy to Japanese to mechanics to Python to medical terminology. Explore something offbeat or dive deeper into an existing interest.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate a thirst for knowledge by learning “just because.”

EIGHT: Conduct Research

You don’t need a lab coat or a research grant to investigate a topic that fascinates you. Create your own research project or pitch one to a local professor. Solving real-world problems or generating new insights demonstrates high-level thinking.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity by pursuing independent research.

NINE: Finish that Project You’ve Been Working On

Whether it’s completing your Eagle Scout or Gold Award, starting a blog, getting in shape, or polishing your LinkedIn profile, summer is the perfect time to commit and follow through. Print a calendar, set goals, and stick to your plan.

💡 Expert Tip: Demonstrate perseverance and follow-through by completing unfinished goals.

TEN: Listen to Podcasts

Looking for a low-effort, high-impact way to learn? Tune in to podcasts. From storytelling to science, current events to creativity, there’s something for everyone. Try Freakonomics, 18 Killer Podcasts for Teenagers, Talks by Brilliant Kids and Teens, and The Daily, or ask ChatGPT for a list of podcasts on a topic of your choice.

💡 Expert Tip: Spark curiosity and perspective through podcasts.

ELEVEN:  Make a Testing Plan

If you're considering submitting SAT or ACT scores, summer is a smart time to prep without school-year distractions. Not sure which test to take? Take a FREE full-length practice SAT and ACT by clicking HERE. You can also use cognitive assessments like MindPrint to match your learning style with the better-fit test. After getting your SAT or ACT score, weigh the pros and cons of submitting test scores to the college to which you plan to apply. Not sure what’s best? Talk to your school counselor or a private college admissions counselor.

💡 Expert Tip: Be strategic with testing—avoid intense test prep during the school year.

TWELVE:  Explore a Summer Program

Summer programs can be enriching but costly. While a few are selective and impactful, many are "pay-to-play" and less likely to impress admissions officers. If it’s a topic you're passionate about and there’s financial aid available, it could be a great fit—just weigh the value carefully. Ultimately, most knowledge is worth acquiring. Learning and growing are always a positive—whether or not it moves the needle on a college application.

💡 Expert Tip: Make informed choices about summer enrichment based on your goals and budget.

The Bottom Line

Summer is more than a break—it’s part of the runway toward your post-high school destination. Time is finite, and everything you do comes with an opportunity cost. Whether deepening your interests, giving back, preparing for college, or simply taking time to grow, how you spend your time matters.

Formore ideas on how to make the most of your summer or everything related to the college admissions process, please reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com to set up a consultation.