Do you enjoy learning about the brain and how it works, why we make the decisions we make, and how the brain influences our behaviors? Are you interested in mental health? If you answered yes to either (or both!) of these questions, psychology might be the path for you.

It’s important for middle and high school students to use the summer productively so they can build on what they learn in the classroom and further explore their interests. Academic summer programs are a great opportunity to delve into a subject more deeply. Students who want to attend a summer program at an Ivy League school can take courses that align with their interests while meeting other highly motivated and talented students.  

Learning doesn’t have to stop just because class is no longer in session. In fact, summer break is the perfect opportunity to learn a new language. Investing time in your daily life to learn a language is not only great for personal growth and cultural appreciation, but it also demonstrates to college admissions committees that you’re motivated to learn outside of the classroom. Keep reading for some language learning strategies and tips.

Summer will be here before you know it, and with time off of school, students should pursue activities and programs that align with their interests instead of coasting through their school break. A productive summer break can help students stand out in the admissions process — while also helping them to explore their interests and gain a better understanding of what they want to do with their college education.

Summer “brain drain” or the “summer slide” — the theory that students stop learning over summer break and even lose some of what they have learned during the school year — is a real phenomenon that has been documented by researchers for the past several decades. However, you can keep your brain active during the summer in several ways to prevent losing any of the gains you made over the previous academic year.

When it comes to your college application, colleges will look to see how you spent your time outside of school. In addition to your extracurricular activities, you may also want to list hobbies and interests that you commit a significant amount of time to. Reading is probably one of the best hobbies you can have – it can deepen your interests in a particular subject, help you become a better writer, and will prepare you for the often grueling reading lists in college-level courses. Not only will many colleges appreciate a reading list, some will ask you to list your favorite books on their application supplements.