As high school juniors become high school seniors, the importance of doing extracurricular activities increases. Many college counselors tell their students they must be well-rounded rather than purely academic. With this in mind, as summer quickly approaches, rising seniors are trying to finalize last edits to their summer plans.
Connor Greer ’26 has long had the dream of attending Duke University, and, while he has filled his schedule with HP and AP courses, his summer plans include a little less academics and a bit more of his personal interests. Connor is doing an econometrics program at Duke, where he will be learning how statistics, the economy and social media all impact one another.
“I think every career is important, but it’s important to have statistics-based knowledge, and especially with more modern ideas,” Connor said. “I think it’ll be interesting for potential new career paths.”
Although Connor has not fully decided on his future career, he is taking the important step of exploring his options and joining programs to broaden his horizons. Similarly to Connor, India Smith ’26 is using her summer to venture out into the world and learn as much as she can through an internship in New York. The aspiring interior designer will spend part of her summer designing and landscaping hotels.
“The internship is in New York at the New York School of Interior Design, and basically, they focus only on interior design,” India said. “So last year, I did a program for residential areas, which really gives you an aspect of, like, what’s home decor. So, whether you want to do residential or commercial, because those are two very different things, it gives you a bigger perspective.”
Of course, preparing for college isn’t the only way to spend one’s time–some rising seniors need a breather after an intense junior year and so are taking time to enjoy their summer and appreciate their high school years. Maddie Tulloch ’26 plans on spending part of her summer in North Carolina with family where she will also gain more work experience and spend time with her friends before graduating.
“I’m going to be there for a month as a junior manager at my uncle’s jewelry business to get good work experience,” Maddie said. “Then, after that, it is Fourth of July, and I plan to go to Seaside [in Florida] with a few of my friends.”
