12 Summer Essentials for Rising Freshmen Summer Planning Workbook

12 Summer Essentials for Rising Freshmen

While you pencil in time to soak up the summer sun, don't forget to schedule time to complete these 12 critical activities, setting yourself up for a successful back to school season this fall!

June - August

Familiarize yourself with the school by exploring its layout and locate important areas like classrooms, cafeteria, library, bathrooms, etc.

Research subjects you'll be studying and get an overview of the topics you may be covering.

Develop organizational skills by organizing your study materials, setting up a study schedule, and using tools like planners or digital calendars.

Improve your study skills by exploring different techniques like note-taking methods, reading strategies and time management techniques.

Reflect on what you hope to achieve your freshmen year and set academic, personal, and extracurricular goals.

Read extensively both fiction and non-fiction to improve your vocabulary, comprehension skills, and critical thinking abilities.

Learn about extracurricular activities that your school offers and identify those that interest you most.

Maintain a healthy routine by getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying physically active.

Practice time management by creating a schedule for the week, prioritizing your tasks, and avoiding procrastination.

Brush up on math and writing skills by practicing free math problems online and writing short stories or keeping a journal.

Reach out to current high school students, older siblings, or school counselors to ask for tips on navigating high school.

Take time for yourself, relax and recharge by pursuing hobbies and spending time with your friends and family.

Plan Your Approach

Consider the 12 Summer Essentials for Rising Freshmen and draft your summer action plan below. Be sure to outline specific action steps and dates you plan to complete them. Then, hang your plan up where you'll see it every day, crossing off items as you accomplish them!

Action I plan to complete Date to complete by

(Example)

Create a summer project for the bandanas I plan to sew this summer for our dog Penny and start an Instagram account to start my marketing plan.

Ask neighbor Jim if he can connect me with his niece who is a sophomore in high school to ask what her freshmen year was like.

(Example)

July 20th

July 28th

Mark it on the calendar

Now that you've planned the actions you want to take this summer, build your calendar over the next few months to help you stay on track. Remember that making the most out of the summertime is all about a healthy balance that allows you opportunities to prepare for the year ahead while also rejuvenating. Be sure to add vacation time, beach days, time with friends, or other activities that help you to unwind to your calendar, too!

Mark it on the calendar

JUNE 2024

Notes

JULY 2024

Notes

AUGUST 2024

Notes

Take time to reflect

Reflection gives our brain the opportunity to untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider various interpretations, and create meaning. In making meaning of our experiences, we can learn, grow, and apply our new understandings to future mindsets and actions-- a skill set that will help you throughout high school and beyond!

As you complete your summer activities, reflect on what you learned from each and any next steps you may wish to take to deeper your knowledge & skill base.

Action completed

What did you do?

Key take away

What did you learn?

Next steps

Is there anything else you need to know/understand/do?