What should I do this summer?

We hear these questions a lot: "What should I do this summer? What do colleges want to see? Can't I just have fun?"

Unfortunately, there is not a single answer. Work, intern, volunteer, study or travel. They're all great options. The key is to think ahead. Everything is an opportunity to do something that makes you happy, and that can be part of the story you will eventually tell colleges. Anything can be part of your narrative. Talk to your school advisor and older students to get some ideas. In addition, you can do more than one thing. Summers are long. To get you started, here are some big categories:

Do something fun

What makes your eyes sparkle? When someone says, "What are you doing this summer," does your answer excite you? If you could talk for hours about your photography class, or the songs you're composing, then that's time well spent.

Get a job or volunteer

Spending money matters. Any type of job can give you real world experience. Lifeguard. Scoop ice cream. Work as a camp counselor. Your bank account, and your parents, will thank you.

Likewise, volunteering is an important way to connect with your local community. Help out at a farmer's market. Collect and donate used sports equipment. Just find any cause that matters to you.

Take a class

If there’s a subject you find intriguing, you could take a class online, at summer school, a pre-college program, or a local college. You can learn about anything from coding to personal finance without the usual school pressure.

Explore new places

Travel doesn’t have to mean getting on a plane and going to a far-off destination. Exploring a nearby town counts too. Maybe you and a friend want to plan a series of day trips to see as many historical landmarks as possible.

Prep for college

Rising juniors and seniors, this is the perfect time to travel to visit schools. And if you're a rising senior, it's definitely time to start working on your applications. I've written about that here. You'll need a game plan for the summer.

Get outside

Finally, get outside. You need the sunshine, and physical activity is good for your body and brain. Just don't forget sunscreen.