While summer is often associated with vacations and free time, many teens say the season has become an increasingly valuable opportunity to recover from academic pressures, reconnect with others, and focus on personal growth.
For many teens, summer has become an opportunity for rest, planning to travel, prioritizing time with family and friends, or seeking new experiences.
Many expect busy summers this year, whether through international travel or completing personal goals.
Carlmont freshman Pinar Hosgur says that she plans to travel to various European cities over the break.
“I’m going to Paris, Rome, and Istanbul over the summer,” Hosgur said.
Zara Klipple, a junior at Notre Dame High School in Belmont, says she expects to travel internationally and complete some of her goals.
“I’m going to Greece with family at the end of June, and then I will attend some camps,” Klipple said. “I also want to finish my driver’s education and get a job.”
However, as academic schedules become more demanding, some teens say summer has taken on a role beyond entertainment, becoming a period for stress relief, personal growth, and family connection.
Hosgur says she mainly values summer for the well-being boost it offers amid the demanding schedules of the school year.
“Summer feels more important to me after a busy school year because it gives me a break from all my academic responsibilities and my academic life in general,” Hosgur said. “It helps me focus more on me as an individual.”
Carlmont sophomore Leah Karp also supports the viewpoint that the summer’s opportunity to relax is important for teens.
“The stress of finals and the amount of academic focus you need to have during the school year is significant,” Karp said. “It’s really nice to have a relaxing time, and I think the contrast from the school year is very important.”
Although summer serves as a period of rest and recovery from academic pressures, teens also note that the break is an opportunity for exploration and development.
Hosgur says her excitement for traveling abroad stems mainly from the opportunity to immerse herself in different cultures and deepen her understanding of different countries.
“I’m most looking forward to going to Rome because I’m very interested in the culture and the history of Italy,” Hosgur said. “Summer as a whole allows me to explore my individuality through exploring different cultures and widening my perspective on the world.”
Karp also says that her summer lets her explore interests unavailable during school, even through travel.
“I’m going to a performing arts camp in Michigan for a week, and then a Spanish immersion program for about two weeks in Panama,” Karp said.
Rendy Lee, the parent of two teenagers, emphasizes that one of the most memorable parts of summer is relationships rather than destinations, as well as learning outside of a classroom.
“Summer provides an opportunity for families to build stronger connections and spend meaningful time together,” Lee said. “It also allows for learning outside of a traditional classroom setting. When we travel to places where we may be the minority, it helps my daughters understand that although people have many different customs or languages, we share many common human experiences. These moments help build empathy, cultural awareness, and appreciation for diversity.”
Klipple also emphasizes that sustaining relationships during the summer is important to her.
“Sometimes summer vacations can be stressful, especially going on flights or driving places,” Klipple said. “I feel like hanging out with family and friends is always a great way to bond with people you’re close to.”
However, even though teens value rest and opportunities to experience different cultures outside of school, some feel pressured to use their summer productively.
“Teens should take advantage of summer to their own benefit instead of wasting it on not doing anything,” Hosgur said. “It can be balanced, but they should also prioritize, for example, getting a summer job or preparing for the upcoming school year.”
Karp also supports this through observations of other high school students.
“A lot of people have been using summer as an opportunity to take more classes and integrate it into their school lives,” Karp said. “I think for underclassmen especially, it’s very valuable to step away from school for a little while and refresh yourself so that you’re not burned out.”
Overall, Lee says that meaningful summers depend less on packed schedules and more on balance.
“A meaningful summer to me is one where my daughters feel truly reset both mentally and physically,” Lee said. “It is not about how many activities we complete, but about the quality of the experiences we share.”
Ultimately, summer break allows teens to grow and feel refreshed.
“If teens have time to relax, grow, connect with others, and gain new perspectives, then the summer has been successful. The ultimate goal is to return to the school year feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready for new challenges,” Lee said.
