Summer!

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, summer is tantalizingly close.  Students and families frequently wonder how to use these months productively - here are some suggestions.   

First of all, it’s crucial that summer be a time for students to rest and relax.  They need to go back to school in the fall feeling 100% - and being able to take some unscheduled time off will help them feel ready to re-engage.  

For students taking a foreign language, a weekly conversation session is a great way to maintain and even build on their level.  I highly recommend using NaTakallam, a non-profit that connects displaced people with language students.  It’s as effective as it is eye-opening, and it's also great for parents to try out a new language or refresh what they've learned.   

If a student can find an internship that matches or expands on their interests, great - but don’t get caught up in worrying about whether the program is prominent enough.  Anything that students can do, even for small-scale or local organizations is helpful - both for their resume as well as for their knowledge of different domains.  

Finally, students should consider taking a college course either online or at a local community college.  It will demonstrate to colleges that your student can do high-level work, as well as exhibit their ongoing interest in a certain field.  

Summer can be a great combination of on and off - let's get started!