Dear Mr. Bradshaw,
I’m graduating from high school in June and I wonder what’s the best way to spend my summer. I’ll be a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis this fall.
Sincerely,
An Incoming Freshman
Dear Freshman,
Congratulations on your acceptance to Washington University — a distinguished institution and an excellent launch pad for the years ahead. You’re asking the right question at the right time. How you spend this summer won’t determine your entire college career, but it will shape how you begin it. And beginnings matter.
Start with this principle: use the summer to recharge, not to retreat.
For twelve years, your life has been defined by structure — bell schedules, exam calendars, and application deadlines. Come September, you’ll encounter another structure, but one that demands far more independence and self-regulation. The summer is your bridge between the two. Use it to stretch your intellectual and emotional muscles in low-stakes settings.
Here are a few ideas to make the most of the months ahead:
1. Read beyond the syllabus.
Pick a few books that challenge you — classics you’ve always meant to read or contemporary works that engage with the issues shaping your generation (climate, AI, social justice, geopolitics). Washington U doesn’t admit students because they memorize well. They admit those who can think. Reading deeply, not just widely, will sharpen that edge.
2. Work — even part time.
Whether it’s bussing tables, interning at a local firm, or helping in a family business, there’s value in showing up, being accountable, and learning to navigate different kinds of people. A summer job doesn’t need to impress admissions committees anymore. It needs to teach you responsibility and humility — both of which will serve you better than a dozen padded résumés.
3. Practice digital discipline.
You’re entering a world where productivity and distraction live on the same screen. This summer, take stock of your relationship with technology. Learn to write emails well. Use AI tools like ChatGPT not to cut corners, but to explore ideas and refine your thinking. Knowing how to use tech without being used by it is a 21st-century superpower.
4. Connect with classmates.
Check if WashU offers any pre-orientation groups or online forums for incoming students. It’s not about building a social network early — it’s about beginning to understand the diversity of perspectives and talents that you’ll soon be surrounded by. It’ll make your arrival feel less like a plunge and more like a reunion.
5. Talk to your parents.
This may seem like odd advice, but you’re standing at the edge of a significant shift. Take a walk with your dad. Cook with your mom. Ask them how they felt at your age. These moments are more valuable than you think — and harder to come by once you’re away.
6. Rest — but intentionally.
You don’t need to be busy every day. You do need to be present. Use this summer to get good sleep, enjoy quiet time, travel if you can, and reflect on the kind of student — and person — you want to become.
The most successful college students aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest list of accomplishments. They’re the ones who arrive curious, grounded, and ready to engage. If you spend your summer cultivating those traits, you’ll be ready not just for freshman year — but for whatever follows.
Enjoy the break. You’ve earned it.
Gerald Bradshaw is an international college admissions consultant with Bradshaw College Consulting in Crown Point.
