What grows in the winter, but dies in the summer?

If you answered “students’ interest in planning their future,” you’ll want to continue reading! You may have noticed that as the weather heats up, students’ motivation to think about college and careers melts like ice in July. (And if you don’t know the real answer to the riddle, that’s a hint!)

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just a few small steps can keep career planning on your students’ summer radar. To help you get the beach ball rolling, here are some suggestions for summer usage:

• Remember that our education and career planning websites are available 24/7 and can be accessed from any Internet connection.  Encourage your students to make their planning website part of their summer surfing routine by adding it to their favorites.

• Summer can give students a chance to explore subjects that really interest them at a more relaxed pace. Point students to some educational websites that match their passions, and give them some tips for success in their next year.

• Remind students to get their college research organized and to check in with a College Planning Timeline to make sure they’re on track for life after high school.

• Help students prepare for summer employment by pointing them to our Job Hunting resources.

• Remind students of the benefits of volunteering. Summer is a great time for them to experiment with different volunteer opportunities — while learning some valuable job skills and adding to their resume or college applications at the same time.

• Provide every student with a copy of a Quick Start Guide before they head out the door.

•  Initiate a school-wide contest to promote summer usage. Track participant progress with our reporting tools.

So, what’s the real answer to the riddle? An icicle!