How to Maximise Summer Break for Students Applying to Top Universities

Shopping sprees, golden beaches, or a comfortable day in - summer break comes in various forms for each student. After all, it is a time to unwind and celebrate after months of academic rigour. However, summer break is also a valuable opportunity to get ahead and set yourself up for academic success. The success of your university application may hinge on how you utilise your holidays. Discover why summer break is important and how you can maximise your time to improve your chances of studying at a top university!

Importance of Summer Break

Come summer, you might face many questions about how you plan to spend your break. While it’s important to use summer as a time to rest and recharge after a busy school year, it’s also valuable to make the most of this extended break. Given the competitive nature of top university applications, it’s a great opportunity to build a strong profile. Many high-achieving students are using this time to engage in activities that enhance their applications.

Instead of viewing summer as simply a break, consider it a valuable opportunity to strengthen your university application. Use this time to engage in a variety of activities, such as taking online courses or participating in extracurriculars. Balancing relaxation with productive pursuits can help you stay competitive and make the most of the long summer break. By leveraging this period effectively, you can return to your academic and application tasks refreshed and with an enhanced profile. Below, we’ll explore numerous ways to make the most of your summer.

1. Academic Enrichment

Take some time to review the skills and knowledge you have attained so far. What are some areas that you lack in and what are you passionate about? Summer is a brilliant time to hone your skills or explore different fields, so look out for summer programmes or online courses. With a range of programmes to choose from, there are endless opportunities for growth and self-improvement. In fact, many of these programmes are designed to be flexible and self-paced, making it easy to fit them into your summer break. Here’s a hint: many of these programmes are free too!

Here are a few examples to help kickstart your search.

Alternatively, you can choose to pursue your own independent study or research project. Research projects essentially involve analysing existing scholarly work and contributing new knowledge to the field. These projects develop valuable skills in research, critical thinking, problem solving, time management, and more. You will also gain a deeper understanding of a subject area which can help you discover what you want to pursue in university. Conducting your own research can be a strong differentiating factor as it demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and academic commitment, sending positive signals to the university.

Start by identifying an area of interest and be as specific as possible. If you're unsure where to begin, start by reading books, articles, and research publications in your chosen field. This helps you understand the current issues being discussed by researchers and identify any gaps or limitations in the existing knowledge. From there, you can develop a focused research topic.

Once you have narrowed down a specific topic, you can begin formulating potential research questions - questions that your research aims to answer. The next step is to embark on your research journey! Here, having a mentor to guide you in your research can be highly beneficial so try connecting with teachers, researchers, or professors.

2. Test Preparation

On the same note, it’s equally important to focus on your current academics over summer. Spend time revising your work to keep your mind active and catch up on any missed material. It is also a good time to start preparing for future admissions tests!

With the introduction of the digital SAT this year, many universities have reinstated the test as a requirement, making preparation even more crucial. With 98 questions across two sections, the SAT format may be unfamiliar for many Singaporean students. As such, preparing early is advisable. This allows you ample time to get comfortable with the SAT content, determine which test suits you best, and review any mistakes. Test preparation can be stressful so starting early can help prevent clashes with other commitments.

Start by taking a diagnostic test for both the SAT and ACT to understand their content and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Since most universities accept either test, choose the one that best fits your abilities. Once you’ve identified your weaknesses, it’s time to create a study schedule. The key is to stay focused. Try dedicating an hour a day to prepare for the test, starting with the sections where you need the most improvement. Numerous online resources, including lessons and practice papers, can aid your preparation. This same approach applies to the various admissions tests used in the UK. Remember, practice makes perfect!

3. Extracurricular Activities

A well-rounded profile can be critical in your university application. Engaging in activities outside the classroom helps you develop new interests and skills while enhancing your candidacy. Extracurriculars provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate qualities such as your leadership ability, community spirit, and passion. And given the competitiveness of university admissions, these qualities and experiences can be significant differentiators, so aim to build a diverse portfolio of activities. These universities seek a holistic view of who you are and whether you’ll be a good match for their institution. UK universities, in particular, value extracurriculars related to your chosen discipline.

Internships and job shadowing programmes offer valuable work experience. These experiences expose you to real-world work environments and allow you to learn from various professionals and experts. Additionally, they help you develop essential soft skills like teamwork and communication, which are highly valued by universities and future employers. Thus, be proactive and resourceful in your internship search, and utilise the variety of networking platforms and online job portals available. You can also tap into your personal network to identify potential openings.

Volunteering is another great way to gain unique experiences while developing new skills. Giving back to the community can be a rewarding experience and it showcases your level of maturity, initiative, and commitment. With numerous volunteering opportunities available, it’s important to first identify a cause that you’re genuinely passionate about. Universities can often discern when students are passionate about their work as opposed to when they’re doing it for the sake of it. If a need is unaddressed or if there aren’t many opportunities available, consider starting your own initiative - you’ll hone your leadership skills too by spearheading a project.

Remember, no extracurricular activity is too small. The experience and the impact you make is ultimately more important than having a prestigious name on your portfolio. If you’re unsure where to start, think about your current interests and talents. What personal projects can you undertake with the skills that you have? How can you develop your skills through these projects? If you’re musically inclined, consider forming a band with your friends and performing locally. Such projects can serve various purposes, whether it’s to overcome a personal challenge or to serve an altruistic purpose. The idea is to demonstrate your commitment, creativity, and personal growth.

4. University Application Preparation

Summer is a good time to start thinking about your future plans and preparing for your university application. But first, you need to know what to aim for, so creating a university list is vital. Spend some time to figure out your preferences and priorities. What do you want to study? What kind of campus culture are you looking for? Keep these factors in mind as you do your research.

Be strategic and identify universities that align with your goals, interests, and values. It’s important to find a university that offers what you need! Explore their websites to learn more about their academic programmes, campus culture, and the unique opportunities available. Make sure to understand each university’s application process, including key deadlines, requirements, and the typical student profile. It’s also wise to learn more about the city where the university is located; cost of living, climate, culture and infrastructure are some important considerations.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to create your university list. Ideally, a well balanced list should include a mix of safety, target, and reach schools to maximise your chances of acceptance.

• A safety school is a university where you have greater than 75% chance of acceptance
• A target school is a university where your academic credentials fall within the average range of admitted students
• A reach school is a university that accepts students with academic credentials that are slightly higher than yours

Refer to the different admissions requirements you researched earlier and compare them to your profile. Some universities even publish admissions reports which can help gauge the level of competitiveness. Use this information to create your university list which will then serve as the foundation for your application preparation. With a rough idea of each university’s expectations, the next step is to devise an application strategy.

Besides that, the personal statement is one of the most vital yet time-consuming components of your application, and it’s worth dedicating some time to during the summer break. Keep in mind that your essay’s content and writing style should be tailored to the country and university you’re applying to, so start brainstorming ideas early. Reflect on your experiences, achievements, and personal growth, and use mind maps to organise and connect your thoughts. These reflection points will serve as a useful outline to guide your writing later on. Think about what makes you unique and how you can effectively convey your story! Through your essays, US universities want to get a more holistic picture of you while UK institutions want to understand your passion and motivations for pursuing a specific discipline.

Crafting essays can be a daunting task, but breaking the process into manageable steps can help. Start with a rough draft without worrying about the word count. Focus on getting your ideas down and capturing the essence of your essay as there is always time to refine it later. Staying on track is crucial, as a strong essay can impact your application! Pace your writing to ensure that you have enough time to seek feedback and proofread thoroughly.

5. Building Relationships

Your network can be a valuable asset as it plays a vital role in your academic and professional development. Establishing connections with mentors and professionals can provide you with valuable guidance and support. They can offer insights into your chosen field, help you navigate challenges, and introduce you to opportunities that you might not find on your own. The sooner you start networking, the better!

Start by reaching out to the people in your close vicinity, they can be your friends, teachers, school counsellors, or family members who work, or are passionate about a similar area. Try to establish rapport by having casual conversations; get to know them and what they’re interested in. School clubs and events are often good avenues for meeting people with similar interests.

Consider attending external networking events, workshops, and university fairs. You’ll be able to gain first-hand insights and industry information by interacting directly with these professionals. Be sure to come prepared for these events by doing your research and coming up with a list of questions. Try to find out about the organisations and the people that will be attending the event beforehand. Take mental notes during your conversations, and collect brochures and name cards for further review!

Online networking is also an option. Setting up profiles on websites like LinkedIn is a good way to publicise your interests and experience, and connect with professionals that you wouldn’t normally be able to access. Cold messaging is key; look for potential mentors, internship opportunities, or industry experts who can give you a headstart in your academic journey.

Final Words

As summer unfolds, take this chance to lay a solid foundation for your future endeavours. By strategically planning your time, you can enhance your skills, strengthen your portfolio, and build meaningful connections. Don’t forget to also take the time to recharge and prepare for the months ahead! With careful preparation and dedication, you can make the most of your summer break and significantly improve your chances of studying at a top university.

Key Resources & Further Reading

• The Importance of Winning (And Not Just Participating) in Competitions for Top Uni Applications
• Best Senior Project Ideas for High School Students + 42 Real Student Examples
• How Can an Internship Boost My University Chances? (Plus: Internship Opportunities in Singapore)?
• US Personal Statement Examples from Students in Singapore