CoolSpeaker Chris Collins came up with seven tips that you can share with students to help #MakeSummerCount so they will be ready for your next step! Following his curriculum and keynote themes, the first step is helping students realize that #LeadershipIsAVerb – what you do (the actions you take) this summer will help to prepare for your next step, whether it’s high school, college, entering the workforce, starting a business, or something altogether different. Students might not know it yet, but how they spend their summer will either set them up to run the next stage of life or get run off it!

1 – Read a book for growth AND for fun – Yes, that means you have to read two books!!

I used to only read books for fun, stuff I was interested in, or something that was about to be turned into a movie. Then I went on a kick where I only read a book that would increase my net worth. There is power in balance! Now, I read for both growth and pleasure. The point is to keep reading and learning. For students and educators a like, you can learn just as much from a post-apocalyptic read as you can a self-help book. #ReadersAreEarners Just know that the more you get used to reading, the better prepared you will be for those college courses next semester, learning company policies, or starting a business. Full Disclosure: Leviathan and The Elements of Style (required reading on a lot of college campuses) or corporate disclosures might still be a tough read.

2 – Prioritize Service

I know it’s the summer, and everyone wants to go to kick back and chill; I feel you fam! But the summer is not about just relaxing; it’s about making this summer count! What better way to make your time count than to prioritize service?! Do something for someone that can’t do for themselves. Connect with something bigger than yourself. It allows you to put positive energy into the atmosphere, make a positive impact on someone’s life, and realize how blessed you are. It also allows you to put your time where your heart is, all while growing/building your network. It is highly likely that the folks you meet when you volunteer and do community service surrounding things you are interested in will share similar interests as you, so you get to be around like-minded folks with a passion for helping others. Those are some of the best folks to know. I am a firm believer that your net worth is tied directly to your network.

3 – Practice a Real World Skill You Hate

I hate washing clothes, especially white clothes! I’d rather buy new white tees and undershirts than wash them. Even though I hate washing clothes, I know HOW to wash them! I will never forget my first year as an RA and a student turned all their clothes tie-dye because they put bleach in their color clothes load! DON’T BE THAT STUDENT, (or the student that nearly started a fire popping popcorn in the microwave. They set the timer for 20 minutes….on purpose cause they thought it “seemed like a good number.”) Take this summer as an opportunity to practice a real-world skill that you hate doing or are unfamiliar with; it might be useful in your next phase. Things like washing clothes, cooking, balancing your bank account, paying a bill, etc. You will have plenty of new experiences once you start adulting, but core life skills shouldn’t be one of them.

4 – Write a Letter!

I got a letter in the mail from my boy since the summer before 3rd grade, and it brought me to tears! We live in a digital world full of likes, DMs, and emails. Getting an actual handwritten letter in the mail is such a rare occurrence, and that is what makes it special! This is an intentional act that is mad thoughtful. When it happened to me, it motivated me to pay it forward and write a letter to a few folks that I hadn’t chopped it up within a minute. While I don’t expect to become pen pals, the effects of getting a handwritten note in the mail cannot be overstated. Remember the feeling you get when you receive a note and imagine it amplified when you send one to your parents, teacher, or mentor.

5 – Take a Road Trip

Get in the car and drive somewhere you have never been!! I don’t care if it’s just to the other side of town! Do something different. See something different. Expose yourself to something new and exciting. Make a plan, take a friend, just make it happen. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new place and find a favorite thing. Start getting your mind used to seeing and processing new places. There is something exciting about experiencing a place for the first time, and getting to learn about a new thing, but even more so is the journey. The conversations, funny experiences, getting lost, arguing over the playlist! It will be a valuable exercise as you start your next journey.

6 – Find a New Place to Eat

Treat yourself to a new restaurant. Try a different type of cuisine or that new hot place everyone is buzzing about. Stretch your taste buds!! On a recent trip, a student suggested a new ice cream spot. When I got there, the flavors were crazy! I never thought I’d like rosemary, honey, and goat milk ice cream, but I did! Now I tell everybody that will listen about it! It sounds silly, but I gained some confidence by eating that ice cream. It helped me open up to new culinary experiences, which led to cultural experiences, which ultimately led to my growth and development.

7 – Find Your Big Bad Wolf

Being independent is a big deal, so It’s ok to be nervous or even anxious about this next step you are taking. Don’t be ashamed or feel bad for having concerns. That means this step is important to you. But I want you to ask yourself a question: WHY? What is it about the next step that has you shook? Is it the money, the books, the people, being away from home, etc.? Whatever it is, put a name to it! Call that thing out so you can game plan on how to address it. Once you figure out what is causing the nerves, you can address it. Once the three pigs realized how the wolf was beating them, they adjusted. That doesn’t mean you will never be nervous again, but conquering your fears is sort of like lifting weights…. The more you do it, the easier it gets next time. And eventually, you can lift heavier loads.

Educators, summer is more than just a break—it’s a chance for students to build leadership skills, develop new habits, and prepare for what’s next. That is why CoolSpeak believes in creating engaging experiences that motivate students to grow, whether it’s through inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, or immersive programs. Chris Collins’ seven summer tips are just a glimpse into how we empower students to take ownership of their future.

Let’s work together to make every season a time of learning and transformation. Bring CoolSpeak to your school or program and give students the tools to turn every opportunity into a stepping stone for success. Contact us today to learn how!