Originally Published in the June 4th Print Publication
As the school year comes to a close and summer stretches out before us, a different kind of pressure fills the air for our rising seniors. This isn’t just any summer; it’s THE summer before senior year. This time is usually portrayed as the make-or-break period for college applications, SATs, ACTs, and extracurricular activities. But is this hectic hustle truly the approach, or are we missing the whole idea of summer?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that a full-packed summer resume is the only path to success. We see our classmates signing up for the most rigorous programs, volunteering for hundreds of hours, or simply spending hours on hand studying for the SATs and ACTs. The pressure to keep up, or for some even surpass, usually ends up with overscheduled days and a constant feeling of not doing enough. Now, while strategic planning is undoubtedly crucial, summer is usually the ideal time to gain rest and to improve personal well-being. Without this break, all this rigorous work leads to burnout before senior year even starts.
The key to summer before senior year lies in finding a balance. This doesn’t mean giving up all productivity; it just simply means being extremely intentional with your time. Smartly planning your big priorities will help you set aside time for you to complete necessary tasks while also being able to do things just because you simply enjoy them.
Think of your summer as more of a marathon rather than a sprint. You need to have a small period of rest and recovery to ensure that you are truly performing at your best. This could be like dedicating one day a week to absolutely no academic-related things and setting aside specific times for social activities. It could be something as simple as allowing yourself spontaneous moments of relaxation. Use this summer to explore interests that truly excite you, even if they don’t directly relate to your college applications. Read a book just because it looks fun to read, learn a new sport, or simply spend some more time with your family and friends. These are the moments of genuine happiness that are so much more valuable than just another bullet point on your resume and college applications.
At the end of the day, the goal of the summer before senior year shouldn’t be to fully burn yourself out, but to recharge and reflect. By implementing things like planning and prioritizing your well-being, you’ll not only be able to tackle the obstacles of senior year with a clear mind and a sense of purpose, but you’ll also be able to walk into your final year of high school truly ready to thrive, not just survive.
