Maximizing the First College Summer

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Year after year, as the spring semester comes to an end, students find strength in the literal and figurative light that summer brings at the end of the academic-year tunnel. For first-year students, this milestone marks the end of the beginning to their collegiate career, and they often find solace in the three-month freedom from academic responsibilities. In addition to relishing this break, I have three suggestions on how students can maximize this first summer of college and set themselves up for success upon entering their sophomore year.

1. Reflection

I believe there is room for more reflection in life generally and especially after a major life event. I believe it is important to highlight that not only did first-year students have to work through the traditional challenges of transitioning to university, they had to do so while managing the uncertainty, stress, and loss this pandemic has brought. Encourage your student to intentionally reflect on their experience thus far and where they want the next step of their journey to take them. Some helpful questions for them to ponder on their own or in a conversation with you are:

  • What was your favorite/least favorite class? Why?
  • What did you accomplish this year that you are proud of? (Think accomplishments of all sizes – waking up for every 8:10 a.m. class should be celebrated the same as making the Dean’s List.)
  • What do you wish you would have done differently this year? (Focus on the opportunities for growth rather than the consequences of the challenges.)
  • What advice would you give an incoming student?

Focus on open-ended questions to allow for a true reflection. By starting with these questions, your student will be able to process their growth through successes and challenges and identify goals for their continual journey.

2. Experiential Learning

Summer is a great time to explore out-of-classroom resume-building opportunities and remember they aren’t limited to just working! There are so many ways students can build transferable skills and continue to grow personally and professionally. Here are three alternative options students could benefit from:

  • Volunteering: Depending on your student’s academic discipline, finding work in that field without a degree might be very challenging and often students are unsure of their desired path after graduation. Volunteering allows students to explore different career fields and niches within them, while giving back to and getting to know their local community. Also, this is a great chance to expand their network – connections now often mean internships and jobs later on.
  • Continual education: It can be helpful to remind students that learning is not limited to the classroom. After shifting to a virtual existence this last year, there are more opportunities than ever. UP offers free certifications in specific skills through LinkedIn Learning, which even allows employers to view which courses students have completed. Students can access LinkedIn Learning through their MyApps portal. IBM Skills offers a host of free webinars, online courses and programs for students to explore new topics and careers. Encourage your student to think outside the box – utilize podcasts, documentaries, and video series such as TED Talks to explore the world and challenge their perspectives.
  • Read: So often reading is associated with a command. Students have been told what to read nine months out of the year for the last 13 years which commonly leads to an avoidance of the pastime. There is something very profound about holding a book and turning the page, unsure what you will find on the other side. The type of books to choose from outnumber the dance challenges on TikTok. Online we are told what to think about content. In books we are given the freedom to think for ourselves. Whether the book is about current events, fictional worlds, or personal histories, reading allows for individual reflection on the content and its effect on their world view.

3. Utilize Resources

Just because the academic year has ended does not mean the University ceases to exist for three months. The same resources we prompt students to use while on campus are available over the summer! Three that would be particularly helpful in their transition are:

  • Career Education Center: It is never a bad time to update resumes and cover letters! The Career Education Center is available for one-on-one appointments to provide guidance in major exploration, career options, and general goal achievement. With so many resources online, summer is the perfect time to create a Handshake profile or take The O*NET Interest Profiler – a self-assessment, career exploration tool.
  • Switchboard: Once a Pilot, always a Pilot, and our Pilot alumni love helping current students! Switchboard, run through Alumni & Parent Relations, is a platform on which anyone in the Pilot community can post an Ask (I.e., I’m looking for a summer housing in North Portland.), or an Offer (I.e., I’m available for informational interviews about a Master’s in Education.). This is a wonderful tool for students to utilize to expand their network and set up informational interviews. 
  • Shepard Academic Resource Center: At every step of their collegiate career students are pondering a myriad of questions and we are here to help. Just because they have finished their first year does not mean they are expected to have all the answers. Being able to ask for help and accept it are critical skills students need to continually nurture both on and beyond the Bluff.

We often compare the Orientation experience to drinking from a firehose – so much information all at once and it seems like nothing sticks; I would venture to suggest the entire first year is a bit like that. By taking the summer to relax and reflect, students will realize how much they have grown and gather an idea of how they want to continue that process come fall. I guarantee more information stuck than they expected and through celebrations of their progress they will find the courage to dive even deeper as sophomores.   

Brenagh Sanford serves as the assistant director for First Year Experience, after previously working as a hall director on campus. In her role, Brenagh coordinates the Anchor Seminar Workshop and academic coaching programs through which she works to support students as they transition to campus and help normalize the varied challenges first-year students face. As a life-long learner, Brenagh works to promote academic and personal development within every student she works with, and she has a true affinity for supporting students through their college journey and beyond.