Hi, Sunny here.

At A&J School, we constantly stress the need for students to do meaningful things with their summer. However, we also recognise that many people don’t have direct access to opportunities such as internships and summer schools, and certainly not this late into the academic year. Below are some suggestions for people who don’t have anything lined up for summer but don’t want their kids to waste time.

Doing a personal project can be more impressive.

Often, you see a stereotype of students with a three-page CV, detailing a list of famous academic institutions and companies they have experienced. Your first instinct might be that this is very impressive, and your child has nothing close. This used to be accurate but is certainly no longer the case! Universities are looking out for students who fit the “rich with a trust fund” mould and trying to ensure that students beyond this category are considered competitive. In addition to this, summer schools and programmes tend to be highly structured in a way that reduces student’s autonomy. Doing a long-term project, wholly designed and managed by a student in their free time, shows a drive and organisational skills in a way that other programmes do not. If your child has a passion, get them to harness it to do something incredible. For example, they could create a video series/documentary, apply to write for a magazine, design a blog, create a conference, write some short form fiction, enter essay competitions, etc. The possibilities are limitless.

Read. Read. Read.

Another path a student can take (especially if they are a few years from applying) is to read up as much on the subject as possible. Getting used to methods, terminology, and critical problems in a given field can make them look heads and tails above their peers. I have worked with students who have become so well-read that they have essentially been able to give lectures on the field at the level of a first-year university student just by reading books. My rule is that students should always read one book at their current reading level and, from then on, read something one to two years above their current content level. This helps them learn how to push themselves and read more academic texts. It also makes them more prepared for university. If a student has no idea what they want to do at university, the summer break is also a great time to read across subjects to see what they like.

Set up projects for other times of the year

Students can also use the summer to try and secure opportunities for the next academic year. Many summer schools and internships require students to apply months in advance so that they can get a head start on putting together their applications. I will also take this time to mention that students don’t just have to look for “official” opportunities. Shadowing someone working nearby in the field or cold emailing companies is also a viable option. Many people secure opportunities over the summer, so perhaps you could try to secure an opportunity at less busy times, such as during the Winter holiday.

Volunteer

Volunteering is another great thing that students can do over the summer. There are plenty of opportunities in charity shops, libraries and local museums. If your child is interested in making a social impact, they still have the chance to do so. This also looks great on personal statements.

We hope this piece will help you relax; being late does not necessarily mean everything is over. There are still dozens of ways to make the most of the summer.

Deadline countdown (Sep '23 intake):

• Oxbridge or UK Medicine (Sep '25) - 15 October 2024 - 132 days left.
• USA Early Decision (Sep '25) - 01 November 2024 - 149 days left.
• MBA and Postgraduate (Sep' 25) - 01 December 2024 - 179 days left.
• USA Regular Decision (Sep' 25) - 01 January 2025 - 210 days left.
• UK Undergraduate (Sep' 25) - 29 January 2023 - 238 days left.