Staff Editorial

Summer is the longest break from school for students; 72 days without any teachers, tests or homework. Although reading and optional math packets are passed out at the end of the school year, the time spent studying and preparing for these are largely nonexistent for many students.

Many in fact feel that time spent doing other academic activities such as college visits and SAT/ACT prep prove to be worth much more than doing packets. Packets only prepare students for the next year. So the question becomes how can students keep their summer entertaining and interesting while simultaneously continuing their education?

Summer obviously provides students with time to focus on other adventures not usually available to them because of the time and effort school requires. This abundance of free time one has during the break allows a student to go on family vacations, to the beach with friends or spend the time lounging in the sun.

However, this free time can be utilized to both relax and strengthen one’s academic future by visiting colleges while on summer break. College visits can be fun and informative, giving one the best of both worlds. In only a few hours’ time, a person can get the feel of a campus, learn important information, and review potential scholarships for his/her future.

Thankfully or unfortunately, depending on a student’s previous score, there are no SATs administered over the summer, but there are plenty of SAT/ACT preparation courses. Sacrificing a few hours a couple of days a week to improve SAT and ACT scores can be a valuable addition to a student’s college pallet. There is only one SAT and one ACT for seniors before most college applications are due, so off-season studying can increase students’ chances of getting higher scores.

College visits and SAT/ACT prep prove to be of high value during the summer break as it provides students with opportunities to expand their horizons for the future. Instead of doing summer packets, upperclassmen in high school should focus on things that better prepare them for life and school after their teenage years.

For underclassmen not yet looking at college, work can be another strong use of summer time. Working part time at a local business provides teenagers with spending money to increase their summer fun while gathering valuable work experience. Work also increases a person’s connections with the world around them; a person can meet people they otherwise would not have met.

Summer can be a time of freedom but can also be a time for valuable work experiences and college planning. Work packets only prepare students for the upcoming year. Instead of focusing on a single class, it’s a better use of time to plan for life after high school.