By: Cate Eberly

Though summer break is the perfect place to recharge before school starts, it is also an ample opportunity to benefit yourself. Students can use the summer to immerse themselves in various activities.

Most colleges hold pre-college programs. They act as a camp to explore a topic and campus if students choose to commute or live in dorms for the duration of the program. Pre-college programs can be helpful for deciding on different career fields through a brief exposure to a topic. Here are a few:

Wright State Pre-college Program, University of Dayton Engineering Pre-college Program, Miami University Pre-college Programs

With extra free time over the summer, it is easy to incorporate volunteering into your weekly schedule. Not only do large amounts of service hours look good to college applications, it is also important to incorporate service into your everyday life. Volunteering could mean local events or organizations nearby but it also could be used as a learning experience. You could volunteer for someone working in a possible career field or job you are interested in. Here are some local places to volunteer:

4 Paws for Ability, Hannah’s Treasure Chest, Habitat for Humanity

Summer is also an optimal time to prepare for upcoming tests. Whether it be for the SAT or ACT, use your free time in the summer away from the pressure of other classes to get ahead. Starting this studying early prevents you from last-minute cramming and setting yourself up to receive the best score you can. Sinclair Community College offers online prep courses.

Also, summer can used to pick up jobs. Jobs will not only reward you with money but also valuable skills. Having a job from a young age teaches skills that will be used throughout your whole life in the workplace in whatever career you choose. Many BHS students work at local restaurants, grocery stores, and retail chains.