Most students have that one friend who uses their whole summer vacation to collect as many extracurricular activities as possible to improve chances of college admission.
But is wasting an entire summer really worth it? I’d argue no.
As stated in the Phineas and Ferb theme song: “There’s a 104 days of summer vacation till school comes along just to end it, so the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it…”
Like maybe taking dual enrollment courses or researching at a lab or taking a shower.
OK, that may not be the exact lyrics, but that’s the way many students have started treating their summer breaks.
During a time that should be spent relaxing and preparing for the oncoming onslaught of the next school year, some students decide to do the absolute most activities possible for little to no reason.
Adding a few more extracurricular to a list of 100 doesn’t make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. Having 101 extracurriculars instead of 100 won’t be the reason you get into college.
This is an exaggeration, but the point is that taking a break might be more beneficial than racking up additional achievements.
Instead of students trying to get the attention of college admissions officers with a million volunteer hours, they should try spending some quality time with their friends.
And since these students most likely don’t have any friends, maybe they can use their newfound free time over summer to make some.
There is limited time to make summer memories during high school, and I’m not talking about study dates with textbooks and SAT practice tests. When will be the next time your whole friend group will be in the same area at the same time?
The answer is most likely not soon, so do something about it.
Wasting this precious time on extracurricular activities does help you develop skills, sure, but a skill that’s just as important to learn is to know when to take a break.
Spending a month going on trips and de-stressing with friends and family doesn’t mean a student will be living on the street begging for spare change in the near future.
Summer memories with friends are the ones students will treasure and tell their grandkid about while they’re sitting on their lap some day. The vicious rat race to get into college will probably be something you’ll try to forget.
Why not just relax a little before having to be stressed out?
Look at all the pimples that one student who always raises their hand gets after overworking themselves the whole summer. Do you want to be like that?
I’m not saying to not do any extracurriculars at all. They are one of the best ways to make a college application stand out.
It’s just unnecessary to throw one’s social life in the trash just to be stuck with never-ending debt and a loser roommate.
Why don’t those overachievers eat some chicken nuggets instead of overworking themselves and becoming burnt chicken nuggets.
