What I Did on My Summer Vacation… To Prepare for College

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Congratulations, high school students everywhere. You made it through another school year and now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your summer vacation. For those of you who will be seniors in the fall, however, now is the perfect time to start preparing for your college admissions. Extracurricular activities and summer school might be your way of making your applications stick out, but just as important are your scores on the SAT or ACT tests. And that’s why it’s time to start your test prep. Here are a few tips to keep you focused so you can make the most of your summer vacation.

Make Plans to Do Other Things

First, forget about studying. Take a few days or a week off. Think about all the things you want to do this summer. It may be an extracurricular activity, but it can also be a book you want to read or learning how to surf. Figure out what you want to accomplish and get started. Although it may seem overwhelming, staying busy actually makes you more likely to get your college prep activities done. As in physics, a body in motion tends to stay in motion.

Make a Schedule

Scheduling your study times is the easiest way to fit them into even the busiest schedule. You should have a goal for each week, in terms of study time and areas to focus on. However, it’s best for most people to avoid making a schedule for the whole summer in advance. Instead, keep it week to week to work around any other summer plans that come up. That way, you won’t miss a study session every time you want to go to the beach or catch a movie.

Keep a Record

There’s a reason that many of the most successful diets ask you to keep a food journal: keeping a record of your food makes you more accountable. The same goes for your test prep. Keep track of your study sessions, including duration and what areas you focused on. If you take a practice test, record your scores. The simple act of writing it down will make you more likely to do it.

You may also want to enlist a study partner or professional test prep tutor to help you prepare. After all, many hands make light work. But whether you work with others or go solo, making the most of your time this summer can help your chances of getting into a great university. For more help, speak to a professional college advisor.