Strong summer activities are essential for a strong college application.

Admissions officers want to see high school students do something productive and constructive over the summer months, instead of just lounging by the pool all summer. In fact, your summer activities are a great way to make your application stand out.

Check out these five fun summer activities for college and start planning!

1. Go Back to Camp.

Summer camp is just for kids right? Not really.

Many former campers go back to work at summer camp in their teens. This can be a really fun way to spend your summer, make a little money, and show off your leadership skills.

There are also fun camps for older students that allow you to develop special skills, from athletics to music.

2. Get a Job.

A summer job shows that you are responsible, and (of course!) is useful if you want some extra spending money over the summer months. Summer jobs also strengthen your college application in another way: Your superiors may be willing to write college recommendation letters for you later. This is a great way to diversify your list of references and can be especially useful if you’re not an academic star who can rely fully on teacher references.

3. Do Volunteer Work.

Volunteer work is another fantastic way to spend your summer. You will not only contribute to your local community, but also add something valuable to your list of extracurricular activities in preparation for college application time. Like summer jobs, volunteer work can also be a great way to make contact with people who can write you reference letters in the future.

4. Start Prepping for the SAT.

Okay, we know this option definitely sounds unappealing! Who wants to spend those sunny summer months studying for the SAT?!

Here’s the thing though: odds are that you’ll have to do some studying before taking the SAT exam. Trying to take on SAT studying during the school year, when you’ll be juggling homework and extracurricular activities for college, can be just a bit overwhelming.

So why not put in some study time over the summer and get it out of the way? Besides, you can always bring your SAT vocabulary flash cards with you to the pool!

5. Take a Class.

Again, at first glance this might be one of those activities for college that sounds completely uninteresting. You just spent all year in class, so why would you take a class over the summer? But this is your chance to take a class on something that interests you.

Whether you’ve always wanted to give photography a try, or you’re dying to learn another language, summer is your chance to take a class on whatever you’re passionate about.

Have Fun with Summer Activities for College!

Summer activities for college are an essential part of college prep. Colleges will like to see that you are ready to take the initiative to go out and learn on your own, without someone forcing you to do it.

Best of all, while you’re having fun, your summer activities will show colleges that you are mature and motivated enough to pursue your own interests.

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