Is an Unscheduled Summer OK?

May 2024

What are your plans for the summer? Internship or job? Camp or extra classes? How about . . . nothing? Some people believe unstructured time during the summer helps teens learn to prioritize their interests and entertain themselves without relying on others. Other people say a lack of routine can negatively affect teens’ mood, motivation, and focus. What do you think? Should you cram as many activities as possible into your summer, or just chill?

Yes

Yes, it’s OK to have an unscheduled summer! As students, our days are constantly filled with activities. We need time to relax and do things we want, not just what we think will look good on résumés or college applications. An unstructured summer could lead to spontaneous experiences that we wouldn’t typically encounter during the school year. Personal growth is just as vital to your future as any internship, summer program, or job. You might discover a new passion, or you might just catch up on sleep. Even if you find yourself bored at times, you’ll learn something from your boredom and from having the free time to let your mind wander. In the future, we’ll likely have to work all year long, so we should relax during the summer while we can.

—Felix Chen, California

No

No, an unstructured summer is not a good idea. While it is essential to get some rest, summer also offers valuable free time you shouldn’t waste. Last summer I had a job. I got experience to put on my résumé and money for fun things like shopping and going to the movies. Working in the summer also gave me a chance to see what it was like to have a real job without having to juggle the responsibilities of working and keeping up with schoolwork. Additionally, if you don’t do anything with your summer, you could fall into a bad habit of lounging around the house all day. When school starts again, you might have a tough time adjusting. Plus, having a busy summer gives you something interesting to talk about at the start of the new school year.