It’s that time of year when the weather is warming up, the seniors are checking out, and it feels like the school year is coming to a close. Everyone is looking forward to enjoying a free, relaxing, and fun summer. But we’ve all had it happen before: Once summer actually starts, the exciting plans you had imagined never form, and instead, you spend your time doomscrolling and feeling regret for not balancing your summer better. That’s why it’s important to plan structure into your summer carefully, while still leaving time for rest and relaxation. With the right mindset and a few smart habits, summer can become a time not only to recharge but to grow, explore new interests, and still make unforgettable memories.
It can be overwhelming to try to decide where to spend your time productively. Whether it’s volunteering or finding a job, it is difficult to figure out where and how to start. It’s much easier to push those responsibilities off into the future. However, summer is a great time to find organizations to connect with and experiences that will help you grow. Also, finding opportunities to start with doesn’t have to be hard. Senior Claire Bachelder shared, “I used Mrs. Glum’s resources to find organizations, and I also thought about my own interests to make the service more meaningful and engaged. For example, I’ve always loved to read, so I did a search for literacy organizations and found the Queen City Book Bank.” Volunteering over the summer is a great way to meet new people, make new memories, and cultivate current and new interests, without a huge time commitment. Linked below is Ms. Glum’s spreadsheet with volunteer opportunities: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sZ5_sMxa3xbxGIWrzHAP8-aq9Pkm_e9gLh6ycOpiMoA/edit?usp=sharing
Volunteering over the summer promotes personal growth, builds important skills, and serves as a fun, hands-on experience. Ms. Glum said, “Whether you do a camp, a class, you volunteer, get a job, start your own business – all of that gives you a story to tell. You tried something new. You are now a more interesting person than you were before because you have this new experience.” Volunteering can help cultivate your personality, and therefore make you a more interesting person to colleges. Another benefit of volunteering is that it allows you to meet new people in your community. Bachelder said, “ I also think my volunteering has put me in situations where I was forced outside of my comfort zone by doing things I’d never done before or talking to strangers. I think volunteering is a great way to gain experience for working and life.” Even though it forces you to step out of your familiar environment, volunteering can be very rewarding.
Although volunteering or spending time in a program can seem like a burden, there are ways to make activities less stressful and more fun. Branching out over the summer, a time to explore, can help develop new interests and find the right thing for you. Glum said, “The fun comes from what you put into it. I truly think it’s your attitude.” No matter where you are or what you are doing, the way you think about the situation helps change the experience. Trying something new, or just being with your friends, can brighten your summer while having fun and being the productive version of yourself that you dreamed about being before summer started. In addition, learning to balance structure over the summer ultimately leads to less stress and pressure to get things done. Once perspective is changed, there are many ways to incorporate fun into any activity.
Summer does not have to be a choice between fun and productivity; it can be about stabilizing both. By setting aside time to make new connections, try new things, and learn to enjoy yourself, growth can happen without feeling overwhelmed. Finding an opportunity and starting the process is always hard, but with the right motivation, your summer can be filled with long-lasting moments. Overall, summer is not about doing everything or nothing; it is about finding what speaks to you and appreciating every step.
