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56 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY JUNE 2016 goodBALANCE HIGH SCHOOL TEENS High school kids have four summers to prepare themselves for life after graduation. While they might look at summers like their last hurrah before adulthood perhaps they shouldnt spend their days parked in front of their video game console or hanging out with friends all the time. How can high schoolers make the most of their summers Families might want to connect first with their students schoolcounselorsinthespringtoseewhatsummeropportunities and resources have crossed their desks Lundien points out. For example he receives information on programs such as job fairs summer internships and SAT-prep courses. In addition to programs offered by local schools and communities high schoolers can try some of these ideas Get a job. Working even on a part-time basis racks up the skills your teens will need in their future careers. Besides putting extra cash in your teens pockets part-time jobs can teach them responsibility accountability to someone besides mom and dad a good work ethic time management teamwork assertiveness interpersonal communication and a host of other life skills. Plus when it comes time to ask someone to write a letter of recommendation for a college application or scholarship theyve already got a built-in reference. Volunteer. Doing good not only feels good but it also helps teens get outside of themselves. At a time when theyre often wrapped up in their own teen angst looking at their community from the perspective of How can I help shifts teens mindsets and helps them see the bigger picture. Volunteering also offers a great way to start networking which could open the door for career exploration job shadowing and part-time jobs. Many colleges and scholarship committees look for well-rounded teens who serve their community so volunteering will help them stand out when theyre ready to apply. Plus volunteering can serve as a great eye-opener for students in terms of where their passion lies. In fact sometimes its a quick way to gauge whether or not they want to continue down a certain career path. Ive had students who have volunteered in a local hospital and realized very quickly after seeing some of the things that go on that it wasnt for them cites Lundien. And it was good that they found it out now before they went off to college. Prepareforcollege.Althoughthelastthingteens might want to think about during the summer is preparing for high-stakes testing or writing a college scholarship essay summer might actually be the best time to tackle these time-consuming tasks. During the school year students manage quiteaheavyschedulebetweenclasseshomework club meetings sports practice volunteering part- time jobs and other after-school activities. Bytakingasummertestprepcourseorworking on scholarship applications in July and August students can lighten the workload they face during the pressure-filled school year according to Varun Tewari owner of Victory Step Test Prep. Tewari suggests 40 to 50 total hours of test prep to maximize test scores. He points out that summerwithout school studies and extracurricular activities getting in the wayis by far the best time to study for these tests. Visit colleges. With time for extended trips summer offers up a great opportunity to visit college campuses as a family. Let your middle schoolers tag along as their older siblings check out a potential college. Ive even spoken to several families who started going on college visits when their kids were still in middle school just getting them on a college campus maybe tagging along as their older siblings checked out a college Lundien points out. High school flies by so quickly and juniors and seniors feel so pressured with SAT or ACT tests while theyre busy during the school year. Any of the homework that families can do early on will take off a lot of that pressure down the road when the student is a senior. By taking a summer test prep course or working on scholarship applications in July and August students can lighten the workload they face during the pressure-filled school year. - Varun Tewari Victory Step Test Prep