Drip, drip. The melting of ice cream, and the cloying scent of pollen is a feeling we’re all so familiar with. With the finish line so near, the salvation from AP exams and Regents is exceptionally palpable.
The prospect of seeing old relatives and friends combined with a plethora of free time has students enthralled. This has also caused us to enter our own versions of senioritis – junioritis, and the sophomore slumps have us officially locked out from motivation.
However, with Regents and finals still up ahead, students will have to ignore the fatigue and maintain their pace. Continue reading to discover what others have planned, and to get ahead in your academic career over the summer.
Plans
Mrs. Clive, an English teacher at New Hartford Senior High School, is excited to visit the Adirondacks with her family. She looks forward to spending time with her grandson and reading books such as James by Percival Evertt, and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. One of her dream trips is to go to the Alps.
The Alps are a famous vacation spot, they are some of the highest mountain ranges in Europe. Their stunning landscapes and charming towns are an iconic place to hike in the summer months.
One of the best ways of spending your summers is undoubtedly with family and friends.
Subhaan, a sophomore at New Hartford Senior High School, looks forward to visiting his family in New Jersey. He’s eager to travel solo by train, and test out restaurants he found on TikTok. Once he gets his license, he would like to volunteer more in the community.
Sites to travel during the summer takes a deal of contemplation. To get away from the bustling world of technology, areas in nature make wonderful excursions to find peace.
Places
There are many places you and your family can visit over the summer. U.S. News recommends seeing Yellowstone National Park which offers abundant wildlife and hot springs. Yosemite National Park also has deep valleys and waterfalls, and the Grand Canyon National Park provides a thrilling expedition with thinner crowds.
However, the summer fun also comes with the looming anxiety for college applications. Research shows that preparation in the summer sets students up for success later in their college career.
David Amankwah, a junior at New Hartford Senior High School, would like to take long walks and explore during the summer. He also has goals of learning the piano, reading more books, and volunteering at the firehouse.
Volunteer
There are many places students in high school can volunteer near New Hartford and Utica. Places like the Utica Zoo and New Hartford Public Library offer opportunities to volunteer on-site.
The American Red Cross is another one that is opportune – people interested can sign up to volunteer online. Through this non-profit organization, students can access a wide range of volunteer opportunities such as assisting with disaster relief, blood drives, and attending community events. Although the online navigation can be tricky, it is advised that people reach out for help, and attend training events both online and in person.
Spending some of vacation helping others can prepare students with the skills to enter next year with confidence and fulfillment.
Bucket-List
Goals and bucket-list items are another meaningful prospect to have over the summer. With so much time on hand, many students are determined to find summer jobs and study for standardized tests.
Nevertheless, it is also important to experience a bit of relaxation. Some fun activities to do can be as simple as making s’mores, catching fireflies, stargazing, going camping, and picking strawberries. Or drinking countless iced matcha lattes, taking a candle making course, and attending a jazz concert.
Regardless, it is clear that summer is a very crucial time in high school life. Some students use it for school preparation and others spend it with family and friends. It is one of the more memorable and reflective parts of your high school career that you should cherish.
