College Readiness Starts in Summer: Research-Backed Habits that Predict College Success
When the last day of school is over, many students shift into vacation mode, but for those with college aspirations, summer can be a powerful tool for success. Research shows that what students do during their summer breaks can significantly impact their readiness for college—and even their chances for admission.
The Summer Advantage
Summer offers a rare opportunity: extended time free from the demands of school. According to a study published in The Journal of Youth and Adolescence, students who engage in structured summer activities, whether academic, extracurricular, or work-based, show greater college readiness and are more likely to enroll in and complete four-year college degrees.
The key is in how this time is used. Whether it’s through internships, volunteering, test prep, or independent learning, summer offers students the space to build habits and experiences that admissions officers look for.
Summer Habits for Success
Whether your child’s summer break just began or is nearing its conclusion, there are steps you can take to help your child develop the habits that lead to college admissions success.
Setting and Achieving Goals
Goal-setting isn’t just a motivational tactic—it’s a measurable predictor of success. A 2020 studyfound that goal-setting has a direct impact on students’ academic success, concluding that setting and following through on goals leads to lasting academic achievement.
The act of setting a goal and following through helps develop persistence, time management, and a growth mindset—all traits that college admissions officers look for and that help students excel in college. Encourage your student to identify two or three realistic summer goals, such as improving SAT or ACT scores, completing a course online, or building a resume through community service or other activities.
Reading for Enrichment
The National Endowment for the Arts reports a strong correlation between reading for pleasure and academic achievement. Regular reading builds vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills essential for college admissions exams like the SAT, crafting college application essays, and succeeding in college and beyond.
Help your child to curate a diverse summer reading list. Try to include fiction, nonfiction, and tests related to potential college majors or future careers. Discussing books with others can deepen understanding and prepare students for college-level discussions, so consider reading along with your child to form an impromptu family book club.
Engaging in Passion Projects
Selective colleges seek applicants who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and follow-through. Passion projects, such as launching a blog, coding an app, or leading a local fundraiser, showcase a student’s unique interests and commitment.
Help your child identify an area they care about and support them in turning that interest into action. Even small-scale projects can create compelling material for college admissions essays and interviews.
Practicing Self-Directed Learning
College success depends heavily on the ability to learn independently. A study from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation highlights self-regulation and intrinsic motivation as key non-cognitive skills linked to postsecondary persistence.
Encourage your student to explore learning opportunities like MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), tutorials, or certificate programs in areas that interest them. Platforms like Coursera or edX over free options across many different fields.
Building College Knowledge
Identifying and refining college goals helps to create intrinsic motivation for success. When students have a clear college goal in mind, they are more likely to pay attention to maintaining high grades, preparing for exams, and building a great extracurricular resume.
Summer is a great time for students to research colleges and create their college lists. Tools like College Scorecard and BigFuture offer valuable insights into campus culture, cost, and outcomes. Campus visits—whether in-person or virtual—are helpful in identifying what your child wants and needs from a college.
The Bottom Line
College admissions isn’t just about grades and test scores—it’s about readiness. And readiness is built, not born. By cultivating purposeful habits over the summer, students give themselves a head start not just in the application process but in college itself.
