What Should My High School Student Do with Their Summer?

Summer is just around the corner! While high school students will rejoice at the idea of less structured routines, more sleep, warm weather, and time with friends, parents often struggle to find the right balance for their teens between structure, productive activities, and relaxation. So, if you're a parent wondering, "What should my high schooler do with their summer?" here's a list of meaningful and manageable ideas to consider.

Get a Job – Any Job!

There’s no better way for teens to learn responsibility, time management, and communication skills than by working. Whether they’re scooping ice cream, lifeguarding, babysitting, dog-walking, or stocking shelves, every job provides lessons in showing up on time, working with others, following through, and solving real-world problems. The specific job and number of hours matter less than the experience itself.

Start by helping your teen create a resume. Even if they have no prior work experience, they can add school activities, volunteer experience, skills, and other relevant details. The acts of self-reflection and compiling a resume are important experiences. Following this, your teen can learn how to go about applying for jobs. While many applications will be completed online, encourage them to print out a few copies of their resume and walk them into local businesses. Yes, they’ll probably roll their eyes and call you “old school,” but it’s a fantastic way for them to practice presenting themselves professionally, making eye contact, and speaking with adults. It’s truly a perfect way to stretch your teen and nudge them outside their comfort zone.

Aside from gaining confidence and experience, earning their own money allows teens to learn financial decision-making and develop a sense of independence, something they’re naturally striving for at this age.

If traditional jobs aren’t available, that might be the perfect time to…

Create Your Own Opportunity

Can’t find a job? Make one.

Encourage your teen to think like an entrepreneur. They could offer lawn care, dog walking, tutoring, pressure washing, or tech help for neighbors who struggle with their devices. Even organizing garage sales or reselling items online can spark creativity, build skills, and teach hustle. Additionally, creating a business or working independently will allow your teen to set their own schedule and learn initiative, customer service, pricing, and time management, all in a real-world setting. Taking the initiative to create their own job will provide ample growth opportunities and can make a great story for college essays and resumes down the road.

Serve the Community

Volunteering is a powerful way to connect with others, develop empathy, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s working at a local food bank, coaching at a youth sports camp, tending a community garden, or reading to kids at the library, they’ll learn the value of giving back, and maybe even discover a passion in the process. Aside from the financial advantages of getting a job, volunteering can provide many of the same benefits and will allow your child to develop responsibility, accountability, and other skills that will serve them as they seek future employment. Service is often a good option for students whose summer schedules are less predictable or routine due to activities, travel, or other responsibilities. Finally, community service demonstrates commitment and character to future employers or colleges.

Read and Write for Fun (Seriously!)

The school year often doesn’t leave much time for teens to read just for fun. Summer offers the perfect chance to reconnect with reading, not as an assignment, but for enjoyment, relaxation, and entertainment.

Encourage your teen to choose books that genuinely interest them: novels, biographies, graphic novels, or even blogs and articles related to their hobbies. Have them experiment with different genres and topics. When teens read by choice, they develop critical thinking, expand their vocabulary, and build empathy, all without it feeling like work.

Once they dive in, ask them questions like “What’s it about? Are you enjoying it? Would you recommend it to others?” These casual conversations can spark connection and thoughtful reflection.

Writing is another low-pressure but powerful way for teens to express themselves. Encourage them to journal, write poetry or short stories, start a blog, or even try creative writing prompts. Regular writing builds communication skills, sharpens thinking, and gives teens a chance to reflect.

Explore Interests

Summer is the perfect time for your high school student to explore interests and potential career paths without pressure.

Does your teen love animals? See if they can volunteer at a shelter or shadow a vet. Are they curious about graphic design, psychology, or business? Encourage them to take a free online course, conduct research, or interview someone in the field.

The goal isn’t to figure out their future. It’s to experiment, learn more about themselves, and let their curiosity guide them. These small steps can provide valuable direction for their high school years and beyond.

Hone a Skill

Personal development is just as important as academic growth. Help your teen identify one or two life skills they want to improve this summer. Consider skills that will make their life easier or lead to greater independence. This may include executive function skills like time management, organization, goal setting, or decision-making, or practical skills like cooking, doing laundry, or managing a budget.

Together, create a simple plan to practice this skill over the summer. Maybe they use a planner, set weekly goals, or take on more responsibility at home. The point isn’t perfection, it’s practice, progress and confidence.

Make Time to Relax

Summer is a really important time for teenagers to relax, rejuvenate, and take a break from their sometimes-relentless routines. Summer is their chance to catch up on sleep, unwind, and just be. Unstructured time is not wasted time; in fact, it's essential for creativity, mental health, and personal reflection.

Hanging out with friends, getting outside, being active, or even getting bored can spark new interests and ideas. Some of the best insights happen during quiet, unscheduled moments. A relaxed, rested teen is far more likely to return to school in the fall refreshed and ready to succeed.

Final Thoughts

Summer doesn’t have to be packed with programs, schedules, or perfectly planned activities. What matters most is that your high schooler is doing something , something that helps them grow, explore, or simply take a deep breath.

Whether they’re hanging out with friends, writing poems, helping a neighbor, or launching a dog-walking empire, every experience is a step toward maturity, independence, and self-understanding.

Thrive Can Help!

Would you like support as your teen navigates high school and prepares for college? Are you interested in some structured guidance and accountability as they develop and practice executive function skills? Thrive can help! Please reach out today to discover how our coaching services and admissions consulting can prepare you and your teen to thrive this summer and beyond! Book online, email jenell@thriveconsultandcoach.com, or call 206-372-2135.