Once upon a time, the term “summer vacation” actually meant just that — a vacation. Three months of unadulterated relaxation. Three months of beach-going, staying out late and, of course, s
By Quinn Cummings
Once upon a time, the term “summer vacation” actually meant just that — a vacation. Three months of unadulterated relaxation. Three months of beach-going, staying out late and, of course, sleeping in.
But within the PHS community, the weeks of summer have undergone a radical transformation. Rather than act as a time to recuperate from the stresses of the school year, it has become an extension of academic and extracurricular activity. Between college camps, classes, internships, jobs and standardized test studying, the months of June, July and August have certainly begun to lose the carefree charm they were once known for.
”I feel that now that most of the nation is geared towards higher education rather than just going directly into the work force after high school . . . it makes sense to spend time in the summer [working] to get the competitive edge [for college],” said junior Alex Jin.
Jin will spend the month of July participating in a medical research internship in Boston.
”I’ve been interested in medical research for quite some time,” said Alex. “[But] there’s also the aspect of making it look good for colleges, and if I can actually get any work published with my name on it it’d be a big plus.”
However, it’s important to note that while Princeton High School students have begun packing their summers in ways never seen before, it isn’t for totally competitive or collegiate reasons.
Ananth Balasubramanian, a sophomore at PHS, has given himself little free time this summer. Between a tae kwon doe world championship competition, a tour of Europe with the Princeton Jazz Youth Orchestra, an internship with the firm JP Morgan and a jazz camp, he admits, “I’m going to be doing a lot more work [over the summer] than I do in the school year.”
But college admission is not the sole reason for his self-induced hectic schedule.
”I love these things. I won’t put this much effort into something I don’t love. People think I only do it for [professional reasons], but [these are things] I’m really passionate about,” said Balasubramanian. “I think [all the work] is worth it. Because I’m doing something I love.”
Alex Jin voiced a similar opinion, saying “If it’s meaningful work, then its worth [the stress]. Otherwise, I don’t know.”
Correspondingly, sophomore Vicky Gerbert has a demanding summer ahead of her, beginning with an intensive arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by a personal finance summer class, and ending with an online SAT prep course. Yet, she finds the competitive nature of college admissions as a positive influence on her following her passions this summer.
”I don’t think without the incentive of college I would be doing these programs,” said Gerbert. “But without my passion for art I wouldn’t be doing [the VCU program] either.”
Approaching the notoriously stressful year that is 11th grade, Gerbert believes acting proactively over the summer will actually eliminate anxiety for her later.
”I think [all these programs are] a pretty huge commitment and sacrifice, but it’ll be worth it because I’ll be more relaxed next year.”
So perhaps summer isn’t such a “vacation” anymore. But many students within the PHS community don’t necessarily see that as a negative consequence.
”[Working over the summer] might keep our minds more awake and alert,” said Jin. “[Which is better than to] drain them over the long summer break.”
Those three months don’t come with just freedom to do absolutely nothing. While the pressure of college is present, PHS students have began to see it as freedom to follow passions and interest that one couldn’t during the school year, as well as get a head start on upcoming academic work.
Quinn Cummings is a junior at Princeton High School.