How to Make the Most of Your Summer as a Teen—and Get Into College

When I was a teenager, summer felt like an illusion. All I wanted to do was relax, sleep in, and hang out with my friends. I didn’t see summer as an opportunity—I saw it as a break. However, Teen Life coaching programs can transform this thinking, helping teens to view summer as a chance to grow and discover new skills through dedicated guidance.

But I had a life coach at the time who helped me see things differently. He told me that summer was one of the best times to get ahead in life, particularly by exploring Teen Life coaching programs. I didn’t believe him then, but looking back, he was right.

Why Summer Is the Best Time for Teens to Get Ahead

Summer offers a unique window of time—one without school stress, deadlines, and packed schedules. For teens, it’s a season of opportunity for personal growth, particularly with the support of Teen Life coaching programs. Whether it’s improving sleep habits, launching a passion project, or gaining real-world experience, summer can set the foundation for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Let’s be real: teens have a choice. Summer can be a time to chill out and do less—or it can be a time to practice doing what they’d love to do as an adult. There’s no better time to explore interests, especially when they still have the support of parents at home and the guidance from Teen Life coaching programs.

This is the time to create something meaningful—a project, experience, or skill—that will move your teen forward toward their goals.

How to Help Your Teen Make the Most of Summer

The big question: how do you get your teen to engage in summer productively—without pushing them too hard?

The first step is curiosity. Get curious not about who they are as your child, but who they are becoming as a human being. Where is their growth edge? What’s a challenge that would stretch them and help them grow in confidence and skill?

That growth might come from:

• Working with a life coach for teens
• Talking to a therapist
• Getting a part-time job and learning how to manage money
• Starting a passion project that gets them excited

These experiences build maturity, resilience, and independence. They also give your teen something real to write about in a college admissions essay. Colleges are looking for students who are curious, motivated, and driven—what better way to show that than through a summer that mattered?

My Passion Project: The Bike That Changed Everything

When I was a teen, my passion project was designing and building a kids’ carbon fibre bike. It was far from perfect—but it changed my life. That bike got me into college. It got me my first job. It gave me something real to talk about in interviews and essays.

It was incredibly difficult, but the lessons I learned through the process were invaluable—and they set the foundation for the career I have today.

Two Ways to See Summer—Which Will Your Teen Choose?

There are two ways your teen can approach summer:

1. A time to relax and escape responsibility
2. A time to grow, create, and take meaningful steps toward their future

There’s no right or wrong. But if your teen wants to stand out, discover who they are, and build confidence for the future—summer is the time to start.