As the end of the school year approaches, many students and families are looking forward to a well-deserved break. While summer is the perfect time to relax and recharge, it’s also a valuable opportunity to explore university and career goals. Here are some practical ways to make the most of your summer holiday and set the foundation for future academic and professional success.
1. Plan a University Visit
Whether traveling abroad or staying local, take the opportunity to visit a university campus—even if it’s not currently on your shortlist. Seeing a range of campus types helps students understand their preferences in terms of facilities, environment, and community. The experience can provide clarity when it comes time to select your top choices.
2. Maintain Relationships
After visiting a campus, consider sending a thank-you email to admissions representatives. Mention something specific you learned to demonstrate genuine interest. Staying in touch with university staff and faculty shows initiative and continued engagement. Also, nurture relationships with teachers, counselors, and coaches. Their reference letters will be much stronger if they know you well and can speak confidently about your strengths, behavior, and contributions.
3. Volunteer and Keep Records
Universities value students who are engaged both inside and outside of school. Volunteer at a local organization or consider shadowing a professional in your field of interest. Record details of each activity—dates, responsibilities, and what you learned. This will be useful later for your personal statement, student CV, or college interviews.
4. Explore Career Interests
Use the summer to reflect on your ideal career path. Do you prefer working with people or technology? Would you thrive in a fast-paced environment like a hospital or a creative field like design? Consider taking a career assessment, such as the one at 123test.com, to discover career paths aligned with your personality and interests.
5. Research Universities and Admission Requirements
Start by narrowing down the countries or regions where you’d like to study. Then research universities that offer your preferred courses or majors. Evaluate each university based on academic quality, student life, cost, and campus type. Categorize your choices into reach, target, and safety schools based on your grades, predicted scores, and test results. Many students use platforms like BridgeU or other guidance tools to manage this research—check if your school provides access to one.
6. Track Deadlines and Begin Preparation Early
Application deadlines vary by country and university, so start organizing early. Maintain a record of your extracurriculars, awards, and achievements from as early as Year 9 or Grade 8. This information is crucial for writing personal statements and for teachers who will write your references. Consider starting standardized exams like the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL in Year 11 (Grade 10–11), leaving time to retake them if needed. Mark deadlines on a calendar and aim to submit everything at least 10 days early to avoid last-minute issues.
7. Involve Your Parents in the Planning Process
Discuss your university aspirations with your family regularly. Their input is important when considering location, finances, and long-term planning. If differences arise, counselors and career advisors can help guide conversations and provide resources to support your case. Open and ongoing dialogue helps ensure everyone is aligned in the decision-making process.
Final Thoughts
Summer can be both relaxing and productive. With some planning, you can use this time to strengthen your university applications, clarify career goals, and position yourself for long-term success. If you have questions along the way, speak to your university counselor or school advisor when classes resume. Wishing you a rewarding and restful summer!