5 Things You Can Explore and Learn This Summer

During the summer before my senior year of high school, I traveled to Argentina to visit my grandmother. I brought a little video camera and interviewed her about everything I could think to ask. She told me about how her grandparents arrived in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s from Belarus. She taught me a few phrases in Yiddish, the language she and her parents spoke at home, and she gave me her secret recipe for lemon pie! 

Even if you can't travel too far from home this summer because of COVID or other constraints, there is so much you can learn and explore close to home and virtually, and often these simple summers inform our future in surprising ways!  

Two things to remember when choosing what to do this summer: First, remain genuine. Do what resonates with you, and study what you really want to learn. And, second, less is more; your summer doesn’t need to be packed full. Instead pick one or two things and really dive into them and be curious to learn. 

Here are 5 activities you can try close to home or online: 

1. Continue one of your extracurricular activities or start a new one: What is something you want to learn more about? Or something you wanted to lead in a new direction, but weren't able to during the busy school year? Be creative in trying new things and sharing them with others. 
2. Get a job or an internship: Any and all jobs are good, from helping your family business wrap ceramic vases or waiting tables to interning at an office or an organization you are interested in. All of these experiences give you valuable experience in how the world of work functions. 
3. Volunteer and take action: Give some of your time for something you care about or something you think could use your help. This is a good way to explore the things that interest you as well. For example, if you like marine biology, see if your local aquarium or pet store needs help. Or help people register to vote, in your community or online. 
4. Hobbies or Talents: Dig deep into what you like to do and grow your knowledge about what you are passionate about. If you can, explore things that are related to possible college majors and future careers. Do you love making TikTok videos? Perhaps you want to study marketing or graphic design! 
5. Get to know yourself and your history better: This can be done in many ways. You can interview your family members, like I did, or your neighbors. They have so much rich life experience you can learn from. You can write everyday, in a journal or free online with daily writing prompts from Story2. Or start a new daily habit, like waking to watch the sun rise (notice how it shifts over the summer) or taking a daily walk, each day in a slightly different direction.  

The most important thing is to have fun, be curious, and be yourself. When you're ready to write your college essays or prep for a job interview, Story2 is here to help.