<p>Yeah, one of my problems is that I say a ton of things. I have so many dreams and goals, but I don’t have means of achieving all of them. Like, I’ll say “I want to get into _____ University” but I always have to tell myself that wanting to go there isn’t the same as going there. The hardest part is pursuing your dream, the easiest part is coming up with it.</p>
<p>@ Sardony: Wow, seems like you’ll be having a productive summer. :P</p>
<p>I’ve called/emailed at least 5 places, (3 of them hospitals) and they’re all booked, and yesterday i sent out two more emails, so hopefully they respond with good news. One of them is at some health clinic (as close to a hospital as i can get for now). The hardest part is finding a job that’s nearby, and not already taken; my mom absolutely hates driving, so it has to be within a 15 minute commute. As for what else i did/am doing, I’ve been doing an SAT booklet and practice piano much more frequently (something i didn’t really do during the school year), since i play it competitively. I’m planning on self-studying Chemistry (i took the course last year, but i felt like all i did was cram cram cram to get my A’s, and i didn’t actually learn/retain anything) and maybe some calculus. </p>
<p>Oh right… summer reading. I recently went to the library to check out some novels, and I couldn’t seem to find anything worth reading beyond the first chapter. I don’t know why i’m suddenly so picky about what i read, but i find it so hard to stay interested for long. I should probably search up a list of some books that are generally praised.</p>
<p>Hmm, I’ll have to take a look and see if we have any local shelters nearby; thanks. :)</p>
<p>As I said before, I want to be a pharmacist, a researcher in biochemistry, or a high school science and math teacher. My parents are seriously against me going into education, since they feel that I could feel that I could use my smarts to do something a bit more productive (they aren’t against education).</p>
<p>About my summer, I’m helping out with freshman orientation at my high school now. I’m going to camp at NC School of Science and Math for 2 weeks (plus, we’ll do research at Duke while we’re there). Then, I have band camp and I go back to school the 8th of August. </p>
<p>As for reading, I haven’t done any even though I love to read. Like upinflight, I feel that I’ve become way pickier than I’ve ever been. I’ve found that mysteries, thrillers, and American classics are more of my thing now. I have to read Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Night by Elie Wiesel for my Honors English 2 class and I’ve only read 1 of them. (But, I found out that I won’t have English 2 until 2nd semester, so I have an extra 18 weeks!)</p>
<p>I feel that I won’t get into some of my choice colleges because I’ve started to become a little lazier. I’m not looking at Ivies, but I’ll probably apply to Harvard just for fun!</p>
<p>Answer this:</p>
<p>What extracurriculars are you guys doing this summer?</p>
<p>@evanb: Night is an AMAZING book! I enjoyed reading it. Can you tell me more about the NC School camp??</p>
<p>@nothingto: Like I said in my earlier post (above yours), I also worked at the SEMAA program in my county. That’s it for me!</p>
<p>@sardonyx827: It’s a camp for minorities in the Roanoke Valley Consortium of school districts in NC that is supposed to engage us in STEM fields since many people from our region don’t go on to college to go into a STEM field and don’t go on to get higher degrees after the bachelor’s or associate’s. Here’s a link: [NCSSM</a> Labs for Learning](<a href=“http://l4l.ncssm.edu/]NCSSM”>http://l4l.ncssm.edu/) And it’s only open to students who live in those school districts and it’s very selective (4 people from each school district). We start the summer after 6th grade and end the summer after 10th grade. I am part of the first group to finish all four years and I’m very excited about leaving a legacy!</p>
<p>My only extracurriculars so far, if they count, are studying for the SAT I (mostly the math portion) and indulging myself in foreign policy and economics. Those are 2 subjects that can keep my attention, which is saying something. </p>
<p>I volunteer here and there for an organization that dabbles in humanitarian initiatives, as I’ve said before. I also manage the technical backend of my mother’s small business, mostly the website, email, etc. Mostly, this summer is about regaining/gaining more knowledge and “invigorating” my mind, if I may. Next summer will probably be more eventful when it comes to real extracurriculars.</p>
<p>As for me, my extracurriculars are mostly sat prep, volunteering, piano, self studying and tennis. I have some high hopes for the year, and I really want to be part of a sport, although I’m just starting to learn. Do you guys do sports?</p>
<p>I did JV Swimming. I hated he coach the the majority of the team were racist blowhards, so it’s likely I’m not doing that again. I’m almost certain I’ll be taking up Rugby for the next 3 years though. Its not a conventional sport, which make it better!</p>
<p>One of the cons of living in a quiet suburb is the sparsity of volunteering opportunities…</p>
<p>@nothingto: volunteering at a children’s museum and a theatre camp.</p>
<p>I want to try to pick up tennis, and order the books for Art History so I can begin prep for that. Maybe take a couple PSAT practice tests to see where I’m at. And I’m also going to be working on my pieces for the Scholastic Art and Writing awards at some point.</p>
<p>Oh gosh this stuff is stressful I’m definitely self studying this summer but I’m volunteering at our local hospital too, I think I’m alot busier during the actual school year</p>
<p>Is it bad if I’m not volunteering or studying? Because I only have one assignment or the summer and it’s not that hard. I just wanted to relax but all of you are making me insecure.</p>
<p>Trust me, @Dan, before I found CC, I would have just relaxed. Personally, I’m not trying to really improve my app, just looking for things to do that will help my future or something like that in my spare time.</p>
<p>To those of you studying for the PSAT/taking practice tests, how are you doing on them?</p>
<p>@ franz; I’m taking the sat practice tests, not sure how different the PSAT is. Actually, I’m taking an sat prep session for the past three weeks (ends tomorrow). To me, it was most helpful for the cr & writing sections, considering the school i go to is really strong on the math department (and the math section isn’t too difficult, just pace yourself). The reason I was enrolled in a prep class this early was being many of my classmates already took the sat in middle school, and my parents were worried I was too behind 
</p>
<p>Anyway, yesterday I took a practice sat in the class; they actually grade in for you including the essay and I should be getting the grades for cr and math. if you guys are interested I’ll post it, no matter how bad the score xD </p>
<p>On a more relaxed note, are you guys going to do any fun activities for relaxation this summer? Last week I went to 6 flags with old friends, was great!</p>
<p>I took a diagnostic PSAT (so no prep) and got a 191 I also took a practice ACT no prep and got a 30</p>
<p>oh and I’m going to seaworld in a week yaah 
but the PSAT was from a Kaplan book so I’m not sure how accurate it is, the act was offered at our local library by some group</p>
<p>Wait, are you guys going to put</p>
<p>“Studied for the SAT” on the college app as an Extracurricular?</p>
<p>Also, since I didn’t get accepted to any, i guess i will have to put “Debating” as I debate with many people in Politics, Religion, and History in debate forums.</p>
<p>I think “Taking a self-guided immersion course in the standard workings of the English language and and Mathematics” makes it easier to swallow, compared to “Studying for the SAT.” Wouldn’t you agree? ;)</p>
<p>studying for the sat is an EC?</p>