5 Things You Can Do This Summer, Even If We’re Social Distancing

Being productive during COVID-19 isn’t as difficult as you thought.

Already watched Outer Banks, The Last Dance, Tiger King, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Office (for the sixteenth time) and ready to feel productive again? 

Try one of these five social-distancing-approved ideas to help you make the most of this unprecedented summer! 

1. Increase Your Test Scores

Commit yourself to a review schedule or sign up for tutoring with us so that you can build on the testing gains you were seeing before coronavirus. Even with the current climate of uncertainty, College Board and ACT guarantee that the Class of 2021 will have the opportunity to take a standardized test this application cycle. Dedicating yourself to upping your score will allow you to send one more positive piece of data to admissions representatives this fall!

Read our article, Everything We Know About the State of Standardized Testing During COVID-19, for more information on the SAT and ACT this year. 

2. Get Ahead On Your Essays 

Brainstorming, writing, and polishing all of the written components of your application is incredibly time-consuming, and can be overwhelming if you wait until the last minute to get started. Your time at home is an invaluable opportunity to get ahead.  Use this time to start drafting your essay on your own or with the help of one of our expert tutors. We’ll also be helping high school juniors with college applications this summer, so make sure you’re on our email list to get the latest information. 

In the meantime, read our breakdown of this year’s Common Application essay prompts. 

3. Create Something Cool

Are you an artist, writer, coder, musician, or other creative? Challenge yourself to commit to your discipline and refine your craft by joining TeachCS’s virtual 50 Days of Making program. Each day, you’ll push yourself to create something new, which you’ll share with your cohort. An expert teacher will facilitate and guide you when you want support. At the end of the program, you’ll have a 50 piece portfolio to show off! If you’re considering applying to a program that requires a portfolio, this is an excellent opportunity to perfect yours. 

Learn more about 50 Days of Making at https://www.teachcs.me/50-days-of-making. 

4. Go Deeper, Or Learn Something New  

There are plenty of virtual ways for you to keep developing your academic interest this summer! Institutions ranging from community colleges to the Ivy League offer courses accessible to high school students online, across disciplines. Want to take a course on the Russian Revolution? Learn more about human rights law?  Study the philosophy of bioethics?  You can tackle any subject from the comfort of your bedroom, and you might even be able to earn credits you’ll be able to transfer to your university later. Coursera offers a wide variety of high-quality, free, non-credit options from global universities and is an excellent resource for those seeking to go deeper in a particular content area, or learn something completely new! 

Browse Coursera’s offerings here: https://www.coursera.org/

5. Find Opportunities To Be A Helper

What can you do to make this hard time easier for someone else? Maybe you can grocery shop for elderly neighbors who can’t go out, or collect non-perishable donations for the local community charities, or you’re able to provide assistance to struggling students as a remote tutor. Use your time and talents for good and help others weather this crisis. 

So what will you be doing this summer? Let us know on Instagram @revolution_tutors!