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4 Ways to Get a Jump Start on College and Your Career

4 ways to get a jump start on college and your career
Written by CB Community

The bell rings, and that’s it. You’re done for the school year and ready for summer. The sun is out, birds are chirping, and all is right in the world. Then it hits you! You don’t have any plans for the summer, and you will probably end up sitting on your couch watching too much tv and overeating junk food.

It doesn’t have to be this way! Did you know you could get a head start on college and even your career right now?

You might be thinking, “Whoa! Slow down!” College may seem like an eternity away, and a career is even further down the road,but this is the best time to start thinking about your future. Trust us; your future self will be very thankful!

1. Join a Summer Reading Program

 

join a summer reading program

If there is a library close to you, the odds are that they have a summer reading program. What better way to keep your brain fresh and in learning mode than by reading throughout the summer. There are countless books that can keep you entertained and engaged for months on end. Try to picking up one just to see where it takes you.

Youtube and video games might seem more fun, but reading will help you develop essential skills that will come in handy when you get to college. I mean, do you even know how many books college students have to read? A lot! Give yourself a boost and get into the habit of reading.

2. Get a Job

 

get a job

Now you might be too young for an actual career, but perhaps you can convince your parents or relatives to pay you to complete chores around their house, doing yard work, or perhaps getting a job flipping burgers at a local diner. Doing this type of work might not make you rich overnight, but it will teach you some vital lessons about the value of hard work and the satisfaction of earning your own money.  

Imagine how gratifying it would be to be able to buy whatever you wanted with the money you make. No more begging your parents for cash, you have your own. Plus, when you have your own money, no one can fuss at you for buying that new Fortnight battle pack—right?

3. Sign Up for a Summer Camp

 

sign up for a summer camp

Do you know how many different summer camps exist? Tons! Whatever your interests are,, there is probably a summer camp that offers something you would like. The cool thing about summer camps is they help you learn new and different things in ways you would never experience in school.

Ask your parents to help you look around for some middle school summer programs that would work for you. They will probably be so happy to get you out of the house that they might raise your allowance!

4. Learn a New Language

Learning a new language might sound scary, but now is the best time to start. Getting a head start in learning a language means that you can jump straight into high school and even college language classes without hesitation.

Being bilingual is also a great skill to have on a resume and can help you later in life during job applications. The key to learning a new language is to start slow and not to get too frustrated. Remember, even experts were beginners at some point.

You’re young and still have some time before you need to start making some crucial decisions about your future. Summer months will fly by. When it’s all said and done, you should have something to show for your time off. If it’s not a bank account full of cash or the ability to speak a new language, it should at least be awesome experiences at camp with new friends or the satisfaction of finishing a good book.

Whatever you choose to do this summer, make sure it adds some value to your life. Don’t get stuck in a rut of sitting around. Get up and find an experience. In the long run you’ll be in a much better place and thanking your younger self!

To read more college tips, make sure you look at the other blogs by College Basics.

 

About the author

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.