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If you’re the parent of a high school student, summer can feel like a strange mix of relief and pressure. If we’re honest, both parties can exhale once classes end, but the pressure mounts in knowing these summers are starting to matter more than they used to.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most families in this stage of parenting are asking the same questions:
– Should my teen rest?
– Should they work?
– Should they get ahead academically?
– Should we start visiting college campuses?
The truth is that high school summers can be one of the most powerful times for growth, not because students need more on their plate, but because they finally have space to explore who they are becoming.
That is where pre-college academic summer experiences can make a meaningful difference.
So if you’re even the tiniest bit curious how high school summers can shape college confidence, keep reading to learn more about Summer Discovery…
The College Head-Start Most Families Miss
If you’re looking for the college head start most families miss, and how your student can benefit, watch this three-minute overview:
I’ve discovered a program that seemingly blends the perfect mix of both intellectual and emotional exploration for high school (and even middle school) students so they can make the most educated decision for their future college selection: Summer Discovery.
What Pre-College Academic Summer Experiences Really Offer
Programs like Summer Discovery are designed to help high school students experience elements of college life in a way that is both developmentally appropriate and emotionally supportive.
Students participate in college-style courses designed specifically for their stage of life. These courses allow teens to explore subjects like business, psychology, engineering, medicine, law, and technology…before they ever choose a major.
Instead of guessing what they might want to study, students can try it.
Beyond academics, students gain exposure to campus life and many even live in residence halls (depending on the program). They learn how to manage schedules, communicate with instructors, and navigate new environments. If you’re a parent or guardian like me, I think you’ll agree that these life skills matter just as much as academics when preparing for college.
Students also experience structured on-campus and off-campus exploration. Imagine bringing your student for a summer of learning at Vanderbilt University, knowing they’ll also get to safely explore the music, culture, and food of Music City. This balance helps prevent burnout while still encouraging meaningful growth.
Upon completion of the program, students may also receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recognition documenting their academic work. With teenagers looking for new ways to begin building their resume, these credentials can help them stand out from their peers.
Why Families Are Thinking Differently About Summer
Look, with two kids I college, I more than anyone understand you’re not just looking for activities to fill time. This is about finding experiences that build confidence, independence, and direction in your blossoming student.
As such, parents consistently share three goals when planning high school summers:
- Clarity: Students want to understand what they might study in college.
- Independence: Teens need safe environments to practice decision-making.
- Confidence: Students want to arrive on campus feeling capable, not overwhelmed.
Pre-college academic summer programs support each of these.
Students return home with a clearer sense of who they are and where they might be headed. That clarity can exponentially reduce stress during their junior and senior years when college decisions become more immediate.
Why Experience and Structure Matter
Summer Discovery has been inspiring young minds for nearly sixty years. Over that time, the organization has partnered with many of the world’s most respected universities to deliver pre-college academic summer experiences that are both rigorous and supportive.
Families can choose from more than three hundred courses across multiple subject areas and locations throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
The structure is intentional: students experience academic challenge while also building social confidence and life skills through programs designed to support both personal growth and academic exploration.
What spoke to me most as a mom was the fact that Summer Discovery is also recognized as the number one pre-college summer program recommended by high school college counselors. That level of trust matters when you are making important decisions about your student’s future.
Campus-Based Learning: Commuter & Residential Options
As I mentioned above, Vanderbilt University is one of the many world-renowned campuses where Summer Discovery hosts their immersive experiences. Nashville is hotter than ever when it comes to travel and tourism, so it’s no surprise that many of us call Music City home.
If you’re a local like me, you might be interested in knowing that both residential and commuter options are available for certain programs, which provides even more flexibility for local families.
Summer Is Not Just a Break. It Is a Bridge.
One of the biggest mindset shifts for families is realizing that summer does not have to be a pause in learning or growth. Summer can be a bridge between who a student is today and who they hope to become in college.
It can be a time to test interests without long-term pressure, practice independence in a supported environment, and build real confidence before freshman year.
Top 3 Reasons to Consider a Pre-College Program This Summer
If you’re still on the fence, let me offer three more reasons why more parents are choosing structured pre-college academic summer programs instead of treating summer as just a break. They offer:
- College exploration without long-term pressure
- Independence built in a supported environment
- A head start that lasts beyond summer
If you know anyone who has transferred after their freshman year at college, I don’t have to tell you about all the emotions and extra expenses that involves. While attending a summer program like this doesn’t guarantee your child won’t transfer schools or change majors, it certainly increases the likelihood they will make a confident decision and be satisfied with that choice throughout their years in college.
Don’t Wait to Apply
If you are considering a pre-college experience, the smartest move is to explore options early. Waiting too long will result in fewer choices, and after all, we want our students to look upon this opportunity with excitement and anticipation, not fear and regret because their top choice filled up.
Many of the most impactful summer academic programs fill well before the season begins, so the winter/spring semester is the perfect time to start planning. I’ve found that the families who plan early tend to see the greatest return in confidence and readiness when college applications and decisions arrive.
How To Start Exploring Options
If you are starting to think about how your high school student can use summer intentionally, the best first step is exploration:
- Explore campuses
- Explore subject areas
- Explore session options and dates that match your family’s schedule and your student’s goals
You can start by using the Course Finder Tool on Summer Discovery’s website to see available programs and locations. Taking the time to explore options now can open doors for experiences that shape not only a summer, but a student’s entire college journey.
Summer does not need to be packed with pressure. But it can be intentional.
As someone who may be a couple of steps ahead of you (and thoroughly enjoying life as an empty-nester), I wanted to pass on just a bit of the wisdom I’ve gained after walking through the college application process with two children. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Otherwise, I hope to see you and your kids on campus soon!
