What should I do the summer after graduating [from HS]?

College Life
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:round_pushpin: LINK TO MAIN THREAD WITH COLLEGE CHOICES & WHERE I APPLIED TO: Senior Year Schedule & Intro (w/updates). This might help provide context. As the OP, I decided it was needed from reading some posts.

This question may be misplaced (aka: me placing it in “College Life” but because I couldn’t figure out where to put it and “Summer Programs” do NOT equal summer plans), and I apologize ahead of time.
But I’m graduating in June–not sure where I’m committing or what will be happening this summer and I had a question, hence the title of this thread.
The only problems that may be against any plan{s}:

  • NYU: if I get into NYU thru CSTEP (Opportunity Programs), my summer is gone. There is a Pre-Freshman Summer Program that will be running from June 30-August 8. The days are Monday thru Friday (9AM-7PM) and I might have to commute. I don’t know about NYU for ~1.5ish weeks. It’s also my #1.

If not, I would potentially look into job opportunities. I’m just scared of holding a job (I’ve mentioned this fear in past threads, like I prefer volunteer work > jobs, but that’s NOT how the real world works as far as I’m aware.) and I could seek out the ACCES-VR potential that I was sent months ago in the mail?
OR relax…manage my mental health…I want to do this and NYU’s PFSP is NOT going to let me relax but I would be up for the program. Do research on whatever school it is I will be attending’s accommodation processes. It’s just that I only [currently] have 3 active options below and am waiting on 7 schools which are all pretty much reaches (Baruch*, Hunter*, Columbia, GWU, Wellesley, NC State, NYU :purple_heart:
*matches/safeties

THE BIG THREE

  • SUNY University at Buffalo: accepted into School of Engineering and Applied Sciences [SEAS] for Engineering (and to this day, I’m really shocked because this is the only school I’ve been admitted to for Engineering which I know is a competitive major and it’s my #1 major too). COA: $34,764/yr
  • RIT (although it’s withdrawn): accepted into College of Sciences for Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience (the major sounded cool, but I had my reasons for withdrawing, also mentioned in my main thread). They gave me merit which was $19k annually, or $76k for 4 years. COA (w/o merit): $81,849/yr.
  • Scranton (via. Niche Direct Admissions): Neuroscience…#3 choice of major, potentially considering this option because of the third choice major acceptance, nice merit $30k annually w/the Faber Award (an additional $3k) so $33k/annually or $132k for 4 years. Edit: my math was wrong. COA (w/o merit): $72,001/yr. My previous number was calculated post-merit awards.
    I realize that this isn’t to CCO (Compare College Offers), but I’m just presenting the current options :woman_shrugging:

Please let me know what you guys think! :]

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Pretty much all HS graduates I know (including my kids) worked full time after graduation so make money for college (my husband and I did the same, actually most high school students I know worked every summer in high school). At some point it’s nice to build a resume, and have references.

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Most students I know work summer jobs to help cover college costs. A few take trips, either with family or as a graduation gift. What are your parents’ expectations? You don’t need to tell us, but you do need to discuss your plans with them.

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@livsgoing2college

First and foremost congrats on going to college - love your user name. IMO, feeling ready for college and being healthy should be your main concern not a summer job. You mentioned that you will require accommodations at your college and I agree that a valuable use of your time this summer is making sure you have everything in order with your college, current documentation and you are ready on day 1 to self advocate.

You also said that you have a bit of anxiety around a job, but didn’t elaborate. Is it possible to extend your volunteer work or use the experience from the volunteer work to find a right fit summer job - if you feel ready for a job? I agree with other posters you need to understand your family’s expectations regarding costs you are responsible for at college - coffees, dinners out, fun with friends, travel home for holiday, books etc.

It is nice to have a summer job to earn extra funds and also it may be possible that you could also continue that job the summer between your freshman and sophomore year and that saves on stress this time next year knowing you already have a summer job lined up.

I don’t know if there is a right or wrong answer and it will depend on what you think you can take on with the upcoming transition to college. If you do decide a job should be considered, I would recommend you begin looking/applying now vs waiting - you can always decline for NYU or if something else comes up and it will be much harder to find even part-time work if you wait.

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I would suggest getting a job. You might be able to save some money to use for your own spending money. Plus, job experience is always valuable. The job you have first can yield a nice letter of reference for future jobs.

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If you like volunteering and you have a worthy cause, do that - assuming you don’t need the money.

Holding a job might help you get an internship. An internship helps with a job.

This shouldn’t stress you though.

Engineering will be far more stressful academically than any summer job.

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Just adding…you still have time to take a lifeguarding course. Around here, lifeguards are in high demand, and earn significant money. Plus, where my kids went to college, they were also highly needed and lifeguarding was one of the highest paying jobs on campus.

One of my kids was a lifeguard for two summers during high school, and two during college.

I will add, it’s NOT an easy job!

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I currently have a resume, but it only lists high school stuff…well…because I’ve been in high school!
(General) Fun Fact: I don’t know how to drive, I’m (a): too scared and don’t have the time to learn and (b): I like navigating public transit :] I like the subway/LIRR (LIRR > subway obviously, the subway is…a character…sometimes). I’ve already decided when I get older I want to live in a city (if I still live in NY but in NYC, totally fine with that) so I can get lost in it (in a good way)…or I would wanna live in Chicago, Boston, somewhere not too far (like Cali).

I assume the general expectation is that if I get into NYU then I’m attending the Mandatory Pre-Freshman Summer Program + once that ends my parents want to take a quick trip someplace. I will be discussing with them, obviously, because my parents are in an active role in my college process/educational journey.

Thanks! :heart: When I created my username I wanted a fun little ring. I appreciate this compliment :]

This is something that I feel I need to do. I live in NY, so part of leaving my school district is formulating an Exit Summary which just generally contains accommodations for college and such and seeing what can stay/what can go. I have a mental idea of what might get removed, like my cues for Refocusing/Redirection, because colleges have large classes and there will MOST DEFINITELY not be someone there for that purpose.

I dunno how to elaborate. I understand that having a job is important, but I don’t know how to put myself out there and I don’t know if I want to. That’s another thing…if I don’t end up spending my summer at NYU, then I’ll probably check out ACCES-VR to help gain some employable skills.

Will do, thanks again! :slight_smile:

This sentence stuck to me a lot. Thank you for this! But I don’t know…very scared and I should figure the reason(s) why I am in fact worried. Maybe it’s just an underlying fear.

But should the job be related to what I want to pursue in college?

Yes–I do. Like I’m the Artistic Coordinator of my friend’s local nonprofit, and it’s very little stress. However,

this is also crucial. I guess it goes both ways…

That’s very scary. I don’t want to be liable if a kid drowns or something! Plus - yes I can swim but I wouldn’t trust my swimming skills to save a kid in a million years.

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Not necessarily. One of my kids was a lifeguard and the other a restaurant worker. Neither was at all related to their careers…but both helped them work with other people…a life skill that is important.

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This is part of the lifeguarding course. If you can’t do this…you won’t get certified.

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I definitely agree with this. I just randomly thought about maybe being a summer/robotics camp assistant but I doubt that. Plus it would help me work with kids??

Wait, I’m sorry–and confused–they teach you how to swim OR how to save a kid? Or both? Plus, don’t you have to be CPR-certified too??
EDIT: I took swim courses a LOOONG time ago and made it to Level 5/10.

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They teach you how to save…you need to know how to swim before you start. And you don’t just learn how to save kids. You learn about adults too.

My kids did the Red Cross swim sequence and I think they had to be at the “swimmer” level to even be eligible for taking the lifeguarding course.

What about working at a daycare? Many have extra kids in the summer because no school…and their staff rotates vacations. You would be an assistant, so working with a person who is actually in charge.

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I wouldn’t want to drown an adult OR a child… :scream:! I have a friend who is currently getting her lifeguard certification and she competitively swims and wants to get recruited to a D1 school (she’s in 10th grade).

THIS could be cool…depending on how the summer plans map themselves out!!
Thank you!! I’ve volunteered at a summer program and helped hold auditions for kids in a Broadway class, coordinated Arts and Crafts projects, etc. Thanks for the suggestion.

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I think @thumper1 idea of volunteering or working at a camp/class is a great one. You already have some experience and you can start building your first resume - we call it resume 101.

My kids are now about to graduate college and barely anything from resume 101 is on their current resume, but it was a great way to start and document experience. You have several experiences to add to this first resume and maybe after seeing it all on paper, you will get a bit more confidence. Google examples of high school and/or resume with limited experience to get an idea of how to format and present your experience. Even specific classes can be included in this type of resume.

Maybe you can volunteer at a STEM camp for kids or work as a paid assistant. I know our local Parks Dept runs classes all summer and let’s HS age students work different camps and shifts - so it doesn’t have to be all summer. Don’t overly worry about what the experience is - it is more important to show that you know how to show up on time, take direction, communicate with people - so that is why even your club experience for your friend is valid.

More advice - do not wait until you are a junior in college or even later to visit the career center at your college. Start your freshman year, attend events, get feedback on your resume, set up a linked in during your sophomore year and use ALL the resources.

You seem to know yourself well and don’t let fear stop you from moving forward - you will soon see that a few baby steps forward will make a big difference.

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The OP has other posts about their college choices. This thread is about summer plans. Off topic posts have been hidden. Thank you all for your understanding.

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Spend the summer building up your confidence and self advocating. Do you know how to do your own laundry? I would work on your anxiety and yourself. Engineering is very tough and anxiety can come into play. It’s much harder than high school. Have strategies to be able to cope with this.

I would get any part time job. Face your fears now. Also if there is any subject that you need to brush up on, this might be a good time for that. Good luck.

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Do they post these things? Do you email? How do you reach out?

I like this idea!–thanks!! :slight_smile:

Alright! :] This means a LOT…like a lot. It is so comprehensive in the sense that I need to take notes.

I’ve said this repeatedly in many of my threads but I have a college application quote book. This particular piece is going to go in! :] I think this is important for anyone no matter what school they go to!!

I wish this was true! My identity…well I’ll just say it’s a work in progress…and confusing at the same time. And thanks for the tidbit on fear :slight_smile:

I do need to do this. I’ve mentioned on a past thread–but my self-advocacy skills were weak. I can happily say I’ve gotten somewhat better since then :}

Yes, I do!

I plan on this as well…and I have skills. Particularly, whenever I’m in an anxious situation I forget my skills because I don’t rehearse coping ahead. But I met with my therapist 2wks ago and I laid down what I want for our sessions to be more interactive and let me TRY skills there so I don’t freak out/spiral/lose control of my thoughts that I forget my tips! But thanks for the reiteration!!

If anyone is curious in my college choices/where I applied to: Senior Year Schedule & Intro (w/updates) Yes, I know there is A LOT to this thread, and quite frankly not entirely sure if I’d directly stated where but there is a spreadsheet on post #224 w/the updated ones. I excluded Scranton on my spreadsheet though cuz it wasn’t “actively” applied to.

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And I want to add…find time to have some fun this summer. Both of our kids found time to do things they enjoyed, visit with friends and family, etc. They knew that once they left for college, these things would be different…so they found time to enjoy the summer before college.

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