With a bit of planning, you can help your college student leverage his or her time away from school to their economic, academic and physical advantage.
Economic – summer jobs and financial planning
Summer break is a great time for your college student to earn money to contribute towards tuition, books, and living expenses. Helping your student become increasingly financially independent is not only helpful to them; it can also help soften the blow college expenses can wreak on the family budget.
Scout local businesses in advance to determine who is hiring, but be sure to avoid the temptation to intervene directly on your student’s behalf.
Before summer draws to a close, consider helping your student plan a budget for the next semester.
Academic – summer courses, test preparation, and syllabi review
Research the course offerings of local community colleges. Many offer core coursework for which your student can receive transfer credit when they return to school. Taking even one course each summer can mean a lighter academic and financial load during senior year.
If your sophomore, junior or senior college student is planning to apply to graduate school, consider arranging to enroll them in an appropriate test preparation program. Thorough preparation for these examinations is vital. Books, online courses, and live tutoring are all options to consider.
For an easier transition back to school, your student may want to pick up copies of the syllabi and textbooks for the courses they are planning to take in the fall. Using summer break to complete some of the required reading for fall coursework will help decrease the workload that will face them upon return.
Physical – medical and dental appointments, diet and exercise
If your student is like many students, they may have neglected routine, preventive health care. After discussing it with your student, have them set up appointments with their local doctor, dentist, and/or eye doctor.
Did your student gain the proverbial “freshman (or sophomore, junior or senior) 15”? Weight gain at college is very common. Offer your student nutritious, home-cooked meals if possible. Suggest going on walks and becoming active together. Not only will your student feel better when they become more active over summer break, but it can also be a wonderful way of renewing the bond with your student.
With some planning and parental encouragement, you can help your college student leverage then summer break time to substantial economic, academic, and physical advantages.
10 Summer Activities to Share With Your Student
- Go for a long walk with family to get out of the house and some exercise.
- Listen to a podcast, there are great podcasts on most streaming platforms that cover all topics from history to pop culture. Listen to one as you go for a walk, clean the house, or just sit and enjoy one.
- Take a Coursera class, Coursera for Illinois provides Illinois students with access to over 60 non-credit online courses and specializations like courses 3D Printing Revolution to Modern American Poetry.
- Learn a new language! Through the University of Illinois Library, students have access to Rosetta Stone for free!
- Chalk your sidewalks! Have fun with your family as you draw on the sidewalks and write encouraging messages and show your Illinois spirit to your neighborhood.
- Read a book! Check your local library’s online website for access to eBooks and Audiobooks! Many public libraries have online access for you to access audiobooks and eBooks from your computer.
- Join the trends and bake! Try baking some homemade bread or a different baked good.
- Yoga at home! Take a moment and relax with some yoga. The Krannert Art Museum posts Yoga videos every Friday at noon on their Facebook page and it’s free!
- Learn a dance! If your student enjoys the app Tik Tok there are many viral dance trends going around that are fun and easy to learn.
- Have a themed dinner! Find a meal your family enjoys and have everyone dress up to the theme. Try barbequing and have everyone dress up in their favorite summer themed outfit.
