Academic Game Plan for Summer Break
At POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting, we understand that the summer months are jam-packed for student athletes. Between training sessions, team camps, showcases, and tournaments, your calendar fills up quickly. But summer isn’t just a time to compete and improve athletically. It’s also a golden opportunity to grow academically and stand out to both college coaches and admissions professionals.
If you’re serious about playing at the next level and pursuing a strong academic path, having a well-rounded summer game plan is key. Here are three ways we recommend student athletes make the most of their summer from an academic standpoint:
1. Enroll in a Pre-College Program
Pre-college programs offer a unique chance to explore college-level courses in subjects that interest you, whether that’s business, psychology, environmental science, or engineering. You’ll work with professors, connect with peers from across the country, and get a feel for life on a college campus. These programs not only expand your knowledge, they also demonstrate intellectual curiosity and initiative.
Why it matters: Coaches and admissions officers look for student athletes who are passionate and prepared, both on the field and in the classroom. Participating in a pre-college program shows them you're serious about both.
2. Intern in a Field of Interest
Internships provide real-world exposure and help you explore potential career paths while still in high school. Whether you’re volunteering with a local nonprofit, shadowing in a medical office, or helping out with a youth sports league, internships build your resume and show initiative. Some of my former students have leveraged their summer internships from high school to advance their academic and professional careers with the connections they were able to make. While others utilized their internships to realize that they’d rather go in a completely different direction professionally. Regardless of the outcome, the summer internship during high school can be an invaluable experience.
Why it matters: Gaining experience in a professional setting shows you’re thinking beyond the game. It reflects leadership, time management, and a focus on long-term goals — qualities college programs value.
3. Advance Academically Through Summer Courses
One of the best moves a student athlete can make is to get ahead academically. Whether it’s enrolling in an online course or a class at your local community college, summer is the perfect time to earn credits or strengthen core academic skills. For example, knocking out Algebra II in the summer can free up space in your schedule to take AP Pre-Calculus during the school year. Always be sure to confirm that your summer courses are NCAA-approved.
If a student has successfully completed Algebra I and Geometry, we often recommend taking Algebra II over the summer if they’re interested in advancing their math track. This allows them to enter Pre-Calculus in the fall, where the first half of the course typically reviews key Algebra II concepts. We’ve seen this approach work very well for students who realize they need to complete Calculus for their intended college major or to meet admissions criteria at their target schools.
Why it matters: Earning credits in advance helps you stay on track or even get ahead while balancing the demands of your sport. It shows discipline, organization, and academic readiness.
Why This Matters for Your Future
At POLARIS, we believe that student athletes are capable of incredible things when they have the right mindset and the right plan. Engaging in academic programming over the summer sends a clear signal to college programs that you are committed to personal growth, prepared for the demands of college life, and capable of balancing your athletic and academic responsibilities.
We’re committed to guiding our student athletes and their families through the process of maximizing the summer months as an opportunity for academic growth. Through our student-centered individualized approach, we can connect your student athlete with opportunities that will meet their academic goals while fitting your schedule as a family.