Summer 101: Exploring Your Interests

As the school year winds down, summer offers the promise of a well-deserved break—an opportunity to relax, reconnect with friends, or dive into a favorite show. Yet, hovering over these summer months is the looming pressure of productivity: summer programs, test prep, volunteering, internships. You’ve probably heard that summer is a great time to “get ahead” or “find your passion.” But what does that really mean—and how do you even begin?

Let’s take a step back. Summer is special because it offers something increasingly rare during the school year: unstructured time. Away from rigid schedules and external expectations, your mind has the chance to decompress and wander. This is more than just rest—it’s when your natural curiosities begin to surface and you start discovering what truly interests you.

Unfortunately, the sanctity of summer is under attack. With increasing pressure to apply to prestigious programs and lucrative internships, summer’s promise of self-discovery is being rapidly eroded by the expectations of self-improvement. But there is a way to be a part of both worlds: by valuing authenticity over appearance, and intention over expectation.

As a former alumni interviewer, I’m often faced with eager bright-eyed Bay Area students—all of whom have a stacked resume full of curated experiences. But what catches my attention are experiences born from genuine curiosity. I’m drawn to stories about how an interest in environmental conservation was sparked from noticing a relationship between tree coverage and biodiversity at a local stream, or how a book on astrophysics pushed you to navigate public transit and public camping laws to find a dark-sky site to go stargazing. These moments, however small, reveal something powerful: initiative, creativity, and unadulterated passion. 

So, before you apply to summer programs just because everyone else is, consider first exploring what truly interests you. Here are a few ways to begin:

Start with Reading

One of the best ways to explore your interests is to gain exposure to new ideas. Visit your local library and amass a pile of books with titles that interest you. Take an afternoon to flip through them. Books open us up to broader worlds, challenging the curated experiences of Bay Area suburbs. Don’t be afraid to speak to librarians for recommendations. 

If your community lacks these resources, that’s an opportunity in itself. You could crowdsource books and start a mini library of your own—turning a gap in access into a project of purpose.

Explore Local Institutions

The Bay Area is home to institutions like SFMOMA, the California Academy of Sciences, and the DeYoung Museum—all of which offer insights into the worlds of art and science. Lesser known places like the Bay Model Visitor Center or the Eames Institute can also provide more unique experiences and learnings that help you figure out what is important to you. College campuses like Stanford and UC Berkeley often have public galleries, museums, or student showcases as well—many of which can offer insight into key topics that college students are aiming to address through their education.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, navigating your way to these places using public transit can be part of the adventure in developing independence and problem-solving skills.

Take a Hike

A walk through the towering redwoods and sequoias of California’s public parks can be a valuable lesson on environmental awareness and preservation. Even a bike ride down the Stevens Creek Trail can lead to discoveries about how the waters of the bay affect our daily lives—and how the restoration of local habitats can help address the imminent challenges we face from climate change.

Current Pasttimes

Take a look at your daily life and take note of the things that bring you pause. How do you spend your time? If you enjoy playing video games—have you thought about the software, storytelling, or design behind them? Or maybe you’re a caretaker for family members that feel alienated in a foreign environment. Could you explore ways to combat loneliness and foster intergenerational connection through technology or analog practices? What’s something you can do to improve the lives of the people immediately around you? 

Intentionality

If this doesn’t sound academic enough—that’s because it doesn’t have to be. There’s nothing wrong with formal summer programs—they offer amazing mentorship opportunities and access to cutting-edge research. But don’t pursue them just because others are doing so. Instead, ask yourself: Does this opportunity align with something I care about? If so, go for it. If not, give yourself permission to explore elsewhere.

Personally, I enjoyed meeting new people through volunteering and I found joy in the sense of community that came with playing in a youth symphony. I enjoyed spending time outdoors—testing my self-reliance by carrying all the necessary food and supplies to survive for days on the trail. I enjoyed fishing by Half Moon Bay, watching the sea with the humidity and taste of salt on the breeze. And I enjoyed taking the Caltrain into San Francisco just to spend a day wandering the Academy of Sciences with friends. None of these experiences were part of a formal program—but they helped me grow, connect, and understand myself better.

In the end, exploring your interests isn’t about being impressive—it’s about being intentional. It’s about paying attention to yourself and following curiosity to wherever it might lead.

By mentor Kevin, a Yale graduate who grew up in the Bay Area.

Are you interested in a personal mentorship from the author of this article or another one of our mentors, each of whom is a graduate of an Ivy League, Stanford, or MIT?

Schedule a free consultation call to explore mentorship and project possibilities that align with your interests.