Here's the paradox for most high school students: during the school year,
we can't wait for vacation, for a chance to breathe and appreciate the
finer things in life (i.e. our TVs, the absence of alarm clocks, reading
books for leisure's sake!)...but when summer finally rolls around, we find
ourselves head over heals in idleness, racking our brains over the question
"how the devil can we go about making our summers consequential?"
I too have thought long and hard over the question, and have come to the
simple conclusion that a bow-chica-wow-wow summer is product of our doing
everything and anything so as to make ourselves better, and to help others
in the same process.
Ways to do this? Why, take up an instrument! I'm sure
you've all imagined yourselves rocking out in some crazy heavy metal group
or swaying with the melodic tunes of some brilliant quartet. By the way,
there are a lot of opportunities for distinction when it comes to playing
an instrument, and colleges are sure to be impressed if your applications
show dedication and talent when it comes to this extra-curricular.
Volunteer at a local hospital! You'd be surprised at how many hospitals
have volunteer programs for teens during the summer, and surprised even
more at all the exciting ways you could help out...young volunteers often bring about an extra sense of livelihood--a contagious zest for life! While smiles and courtesy go a long way with the patients, the nurses too will get some relief with your presence!
Other ideas? Get a job, start saving up for college! Maybe you could begin researching scholarships and universities of interest? Or how about an internship--a definite demonstration of your will to excel (a definite plus on those college applications as well!)
Read books, expand your brain's horizons! Write, paint, draw--express yourself through means you find most compelling.
Whatever it is you decide to do--make sure you do something. Life is beautiful and teeming with opportunities for people who want to make a difference in this fray of a world.
