Summer Activities to Boost Your College Application

Would you like to get the most out of your summer vacation? While summer holidays are an important opportunity to relax and recharge, they can also be a great opportunity to look ahead and focus on strengthening your future college applications.

There are lots of engaging and exciting activities to consider as part of this. Perhaps you’d like to explore an industry or future job roles that appeal to you – in this case, work experience and internships offer excellent insight. Or maybe you’d like to explore your academic interests beyond the school curriculum, meaning an academic summer school or completing an online course for teenagers might be the best option for you.

Undoubtedly, the best things you can do to enhance your college applications, and make yourself stand out from other candidates, include gaining new experiences and perspectives on your subject.

5 Best Summer Activities to Help With Your College Application

1. Work Experience and Research Internships

Perhaps you already have an idea of the job you’d like to have in the future, but even if you need some more help deciding, work experience and internships are fantastic options to explore.

As well as demonstrating a keenness and willingness to work, practical experience in certain fields will build your skills and show your passion for what interests you.

At the Oxford Scholastica Academy, we provide the opportunity to take part in virtual work experience and research internship programmes, overseen by an expert academic mentor in your chosen field. Covering a range of subjects and industries, from Engineering work experience programmes to academic research internships in Law, we offer a unique experience to help you stand out from the crowd when it comes to writing personal essays and discussing your passions and interests in university interviews.

2. Attending a Summer School

Summer vacation is also a great time to travel and experience new places. Why not do exactly that by attending a residential summer school in a beautiful city abroad? Our Oxford residential summer school offers the chance to experience a new place and culture while sampling the English higher education system.

You’ll learn and study a subject of your choice, developing your critical thinking skills and experiencing university-level study. Our residential summer school programmes cover a multitude of subjects, from our Computer Science & Coding summer school, to our Debate & Public Speaking programme for high school students.

A residential summer school can help to strengthen your college applications and build your personal and academic confidence, while giving you the chance to make some great friends too!

3. Online Courses

Maybe you’d like the opportunity to take part in one of our courses outside of the residential experience? If this is the case, our online courses are an excellent choice, helping to expand your knowledge and interest in a particular subject, with a fully flexible learning style.

Taking part in an online course with the Oxford Scholastica Academy will really help to make your college application shine. As a student, you’ll be demonstrating a keenness to learn and develop your understanding and interest in a subject area. Through discussion, research and debates you will gain a full experience of the future-focused learning we have to offer, showing motivation and initiative when it comes to personal progression and development through learning.

This is truly a unique experience, balancing both live teaching and independent study time to help maximise your learning experience.

4. Pursuing Personal Interests and Hobbies

Your summer vacation is not only a time to expand your academic horizons – pursuing your hobbies and interests is very important too!

Following your passions outside of your studies is a great way to build confidence and make you a well-rounded student. Taking part in other activities such as sports, music and much more are great ways to show the unique skills and qualities that come with exploring new things.

Building a passion for an activity does not need to be linked to your studies at all, and it is so important to have interests and take part in activities outside of your education, for you to enjoy and look forward to!

5. Taking a Break and Relaxing

Your summer vacation is also, and perhaps most importantly of all, a time for you to rest and relax. There are so many great ways that you can take time to recharge ahead of another academic year.

School can be rigorous, so spending time practising meditation and mindfulness can be a great place to start. You should also make time to catch up with your friends and family, and perhaps even travel a little too.

There are so many ways you can grow and develop, both personally and as a student this summer.

The Oxford Scholastica Academy can help with this with our range of in-person residential and online university-style teaching. 

This, along with time spent enjoying your favourite activities and hobbies, and time spent relaxing, will really help you make the most of your summer.