Here are seven great options to consider:

Even in summer, EasyBib.com is on the job! There are EasyBib automatic citing tools in the MLA and APA styles, as well as Chicago style format and thousands of others! There are also other bibliographic resources like an in-text citations guide and an MLA works cited example.  

Take a summer college course

One great way to boost your college applications? Take classes at a college. See what offerings are available at your local community college, and look into options at nearby universities. You can even get some college credits under your belt that can be transferred over when you decide where you’re going.

Get involved in research

If you’re hoping to study a STEM field in college, one great way to prepare is by working on a research project at a college or university. Reach out to professors at schools near you who are studying topics you’re interested in, and ask them if they’d be willing to take on a high school student in the lab. While you’re unlikely to be paid for this, it’s a great way to get preparation for college.

Find a summer job

There’s nothing wrong with getting some real-world work experience — and making some extra money — during your break. Find a job in retail, at a summer camp, or at a restaurant. Students who have work experience show colleges that they’re motivated, hardworking, and take initiative. You can learn a lot from having any job, even if it’s not something you see yourself doing past high school.

Volunteer in your community

Giving back to your community both feels good and gives your college apps a bump. Look for opportunities that feed into your interests. Like soccer? Volunteer as a coach for a kids’ team. Passionate about animals? Look for opportunities at shelters in your area. Interested in medicine? See if there’s a chance to work at a hospital or clinic.

Start a business

If you have an entrepreneurial idea, summer can be a great time to get going, since you don’t have to worry about schoolwork as well. Consider turning your business idea into a real concept, whether you want to start a dog-walking business or a company that sells cookies.

Get an internship

Internships are mostly limited to college students, but you can find some opportunities that are open to high schoolers, especially if you live in a major metropolitan area. Oftentimes, working connections can help you secure an internship opportunity. Reach out to family friends or owners of businesses you frequent to see if they have anything available — you can also ask about shadowing.

Begin a blog

If you’re a humanities or writing person, consider starting your own blog over the summer. It’s a great way to put your skills to work, and it’s really easy to start a free blog using WordPress. When it comes time to apply, you can send your pieces in with your college applications as a writing sample.

Whether you are a seasoned writer or starting your first blog, EasyBib.com can help! There are fun and free grammar guides that cover everything from conjunctive adverbs and prepositional phrases to a comprehensive grammar and plagiarism checker for any creative written endeavor!

The post 7 Summer Activities That Help Boost Your College Applications appeared first on EasyBib Blog.

EasyBib can help with writing projects, large or small, personal or educational. From an AI-enhanced essay checker to fun guides featuring examples of interjections and the correct usage of coordinating conjunctions and indefinite pronouns, it can help polish any writing you do — from a thank you note to a dissertation.

1.     After an interview

If you had a big interview for a job or a summer internship and you’re looking to follow up, a thank you note is the perfect way to do it. Writing a handwritten thank you note will definitely distinguish you from the crowd, and it shows extra effort that tells your interviewer that you are serious about the position. Try to include little things that you all discussed during your time together if you can. If you do not know the physical address of your interviewer, a quick email thank you note is fine, too.

2.     After receiving a gift

Birthdays, holidays, and graduation are all prime thank you note writing time — even if you haven’t ever written a family member or a friend a thank you card before, now is the time to start showing your loved ones thanks for their gifts. After all, they took time to pick out a gift for you, so you can take a little time to thank them for it on paper! It can be great to include photos with the gift, too. For example, if you receive a new jacket from your grandmother, sending her a note with a photo of you wearing the jacket would surely brighten her day, and as a result, yours.

3.     After someone helps you with something difficult

Sometimes we get stuck in sticky situations and need some help. Maybe someone pitched in and helped you with that big event you were planning, or maybe a professor listened to your worries about your grades and offered a lot of comfort to you. After you resolve your situation and things calm down a little, it can be nice to send a thank you note to those who were there for you in that time of need. You can even add in a note about how things are after receiving them and how they helped you reach success.

4.     After someone gives you their time

Even if you aren’t in a difficult situation, you might find yourself in a circumstance where you would like advice or mentorship from someone older. This could be someone you know through a friend, a professor or a past work experience. Writing a thank you note to thank them for their time after speaking with them will show your gratitude for their input or advice, and it will help you to strengthen that relationship for the future.

5.     After a wonderful class or experience

Every now and then, a professor will be exceptional, or a friend will throw an amazing event. This is a perfect time to send a thank you note! Any experience that left a positive impression on you is reason enough to pick up a pen and start writing, and the person receiving the note will be so happy that you acknowledged their efforts.

6.     Just for fun!

There are specific times where it is appropriate, and even expected, that you send a thank you note, including the times listed above. But, if you know someone that you just really appreciate for their personality, character or actions, then be sure to show your gratitude for their presence in your life. Everyone appreciates a kind note, and being more thankful in your daily life will help you spread kindness and grow friendships with the kind of people that you seek to be like.

Now that you can picture sometimes in your life when you can send a proper thank you, don’t hold back! Studies show that people appreciate the thank you much more than you think, even if you’re scared about the reaction being awkward. Sending thank you notes can be a very mature way to show gratitude and appreciation, and it’s a great time to start forming that habit of saying “thank you” as often as possible, especially to those who really deserve it.

Did you know that you can cite a thank you note? Just treat it like a personal letter! EasyBib tools can help you cite letters, books, websites, and more in MLA format, APA format, and Chicago Manual of Style, too. Check out our comprehensive guides on MLA parenthetical citations and how to do an annotated bibliography MLA while you visit, and, thank you!

The post 6 Times to Send a Thank-You Note (and Love It) appeared first on EasyBib Blog.