How to spend the summer as a rising sophomore

My mother is of the opinion that I am “wasting my summer” reading, studying the Classics for NJCL convention, studying French for higher placement, participating in an athletic camp in August, attending NJCL convention, participating in an athletic challenge, and volunteering at the library. She thinks that I need to add a worthless summer program at school that will A. Cost money and B. Not teach me anything.

When I told her that I need to rest a bit over the summer in order to prevent a nervous breakdown, she shot back with “Well, those aren’t the habits of someone who wants to go to a good college.” Ridiculous, or should I really try to do more?

(Keep in mind also that next year I will be applying to several summer programs including Yale Global Scholars and the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute.)

Athletics, academics, and volunteering are perfectly good summer-filling activities. Besides…haven’t most deadlines for programs passed already? Write up, in list format, what you’re doing this year (maybe she doesn’t realize how many things you’re doing?) and what you plan to apply for next year (maybe solid plans will ease her mind?) and rest your case.