What Should a 10th Grader Do Over the Summer?

The summer after 10th grade can be a good time to explore an interest more seriously without feeling pressure to commit to a future major or career. Students have enough high-school experience to know more about what interests them, while still having plenty of room to experiment.

This doesn't mean choosing a future major. It means using what they've learned about themselves to pursue one or two interests more seriously.

Possible options include:

• Advanced academic programs
• Research introductions
• Internships
• Volunteering with increasing responsibility
• Employment
• Independent projects
• College-level coursework
• Specialized arts or athletic programs
• Community service
• Continued participation in an activity from previous years

This can be a particularly good summer for building skills that create opportunities later.

A student interested in AI, for example, might learn Python or build a first substantial project. A future biology student might gain laboratory experience. A writer might complete a portfolio.

Think depth without premature specialization.