Winter break is the perfect time for families to pause, reflect, and plan for the future—including how to make the most of the upcoming summer. Colleges aren’t looking for students who cram their schedules with countless activities; they’re looking for depth, passion, and meaningful impact. The months of summer offer a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and make a difference.
As a parent, you can use the quieter moments of winter break to help your teen create a thoughtful plan that aligns with their goals. Here are four ways to help your teen design a summer experience that colleges will value and that will also allow them to thrive.
Encourage Self-Reflection to Discover Genuine Interests
Colleges appreciate students who pursue activities that reflect their true passions, not just what they think will look good on a résumé. Use winter break to talk with your teen about what excites them and how those interests could shape their summer plans.
How to Start the Conversation:
Ask open-ended questions like: “What have you enjoyed most this year?” or “What’s something you’ve always wanted to try?”
Help them identify themes in their interests. For example, a love for storytelling could translate into creative writing, journalism, or filmmaking opportunities.
Winter Break Action Steps:
Research activities together, such as local internships, camps, or volunteer opportunities that align with their interests.
Create a vision board or list of goals for the summer that reflect their passions and aspirations.
For example, if your teen loves science, they might consider applying to a summer research program or designing an independent experiment they can pursue at home.
Focus on Leadership and Initiative
Colleges value students who take initiative and show leadership in their chosen activities. Use winter break to brainstorm how your teen can step into leadership roles or take ownership of projects during the summer.
How Parents Can Help:
Discuss ways they can expand on current commitments. For instance, could they lead a team, start a new initiative, or create something innovative in their community?
Encourage them to think about how they can make an impact in a meaningful way.
Winter Break Action Steps:
Help them draft emails or reach out to mentors, local organizations, or community leaders for guidance or support on potential projects.
Look for scholarships, grants, or other resources that can help fund ambitious ideas.
For example, if your teen volunteers at a food pantry, they might organize a fundraising event or develop a community education campaign about food insecurity.
Plan for a Balance Between Productivity and Rest
Summer shouldn’t be all work and no play. Admissions officers value well-rounded students who know how to balance productivity with relaxation and reflection. Winter break is the ideal time to discuss what a balanced summer might look like for your teen.
How Parents Can Help:
Discuss the importance of downtime for creativity and mental health. Emphasize that taking time to recharge will make their productive moments more meaningful.
Help them schedule a mix of structured activities and unstructured time.
Winter Break Action Steps:
Use a calendar to map out potential activities while leaving intentional gaps for relaxation or hobbies.
Brainstorm fun, low-pressure activities that they can do on their own, like learning to cook, journaling, or exploring local hiking trails.
For example, while your teen might spend mornings working on an internship, afternoons could be reserved for pursuing a personal interest like photography or simply enjoying some leisure time.
Encourage Reflection and Planning for Impact
Colleges don’t just want to know what your teen did during the summer—they want to understand why they did it and how it impacted them or their community. Use winter break to help your teen think about how their summer activities could align with their long-term goals and values.
How Parents Can Help:
Ask reflective questions like: “How do you want to grow this summer?” or “What kind of difference do you want to make?”
Emphasize the importance of documenting their experiences, whether through journaling, photos, or notes.
Winter Break Action Steps:
Research opportunities that align with potential career interests, such as job shadowing, pre-college programs, or volunteer roles.
Help them draft a résumé or personal statement that highlights how their past experiences connect to future goals.
For example, a teen interested in environmental science might participate in a local conservation project and document the experience in a way that demonstrates both personal growth and impact on their community.
Final Thoughts
Winter break offers a valuable opportunity for families to step back and think intentionally about summer planning. By focusing on your teen’s genuine interests, encouraging leadership, creating a balanced schedule, and reflecting on the potential for impact, you can help them craft a meaningful summer that both supports their growth and resonates with college admissions officers.
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