What time is it? Summertime (it’s our vacation)!

What time is it? Party time (that’s right, say it loud)!

What time is it? The time of our lives (anticipation)!

What time is it? Summertime (school’s out – scream and shout)!

But it’s not (sorry, Troy and Gabriella, but you’ve got it wrong). Summer is not about partying, summer is not about vacation, summer is not the time of our lives. At least, this is the case when it comes to high schoolers.

The transition from middle school to high school fixed a new set of responsibilities onto the meaning of the word summer; summer has come to mean, to a degree, relaxation with the understanding that there’s work to be done for the year ahead. Sophomores have the PSAT to headache over. Juniors have the SAT, ACT and PSAT to prepare for. Seniors have college applications to worry about. There’s AP classes to review for. And there’s only a few months to do it, which is why countless students have resorted to attending summer institutions in an effort to arm themselves for the year ahead. These institutions, not camps – camps would imply a summer of canoeing and swimming on the shining banks of some lake far up north,  – include a brand of intensity and rigor dedicated to practicing languages or debate, or even taking academic classes. Still, these summer programs also provide a unique experience away from home. It’s easy to view attending an institution over the summer as giving up your summer, but in truth they’re a way of making your summer worthwhile. According to Allyson Diljohn, Upper Division College Counselor, although “participating in a summer program has little direct effect on students’ chances of admission [into college]… participation in a summer program or camp helps students to determine what they are interested in.”

That was the case for Anjali Kapadia, ‘17, who attended the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy,  which specializes in French, for three and a half weeks over the summer. “I went because I was trying to become fluent [in French]… A week before going, it hit me that I was going to have to do everything in French. Asking directions, ordering food; it would all have to be in French. I wasn’t sure about what I was getting into, but then I went…and I was totally immersed.” The intensity of the institution brought her invaluable training and experience for taking AP French during the school year, and she didn’t regret giving up her summer for a second. “Going was important because I learned a lot. The most important thing I learned was that I can definitely survive if someone dropped me off in the middle of France…so at least I know I won’t starve in France,” she jokingly added.

Camelia Elkasri,’17, shared a similar experience attending the seven week University of Michigan debate institution. “I love debate, because I truly enjoy the environment, the people and it’s a good addition to your college application. [The University of Michigan debate institution] is special because you get to familiarize yourself with different colleges and talk to their debate coaches. I did want to be home at first – every night was intensive research and every single day was filled with hours of lectures and notes – but once I threw myself into the work and made friends, [being at the institution] became really enjoyable.”

The rigor of attending an institution shapes students for the year ahead, but a summer institution isn’t just about academics. It’s about connecting with people of different backgrounds from all across the country, learning to love the campus of the institution and learning about yourself and who you are when you’re finally on your own. Isabella Monticciolo, ‘17, who attended the Georgetown Summer High School Medical Institute, warmly remembered her experience at the program. “People came from all around the US as well as from outside of the country (there were people from England and Turkey as well)… and we all had something in common we could relate to… as for the campus – I loved the architecture, the size of the classrooms, the dorms, M. Street, everything.”

A message for Troy and Gabriella: summer isn’t about partying or exclusively fun and relaxation. An institution might be a better use of your time.

What time is it? Summertime (attend an institution)!