Overview
Summer is a great time to make significant progress on a passion project. Planning now helps you execute effectively!
What Is a Passion Project?
A self-directed project that:
- Comes from your genuine interests
- Is created by you, not assigned
- Has tangible outcomes or impact
- Shows initiative and follow-through
Project Ideas
- Write and publish a book
- Develop an app or website
- Start a YouTube channel or podcast
- Conduct research and write a paper
- Create an art portfolio or collection
- Launch a small business
- Organize a community initiative
- Build something physical (robotics, design)
Planning for Summer Execution
Set Clear Goals
What do you want to accomplish by end of summer?
- Be specific and measurable
- Be realistic about time and resources
Break Into Milestones
- Week 1-2: [Milestone 1]
- Week 3-4: [Milestone 2]
- Continue through summer...
Identify Resources Needed
- Materials or software
- Skills to learn
- People to help or mentor
- Budget (if any)
Plan Your Time
- How many hours per week?
- Which days/times work best?
- What will you sacrifice to make time?
Documentation
Track your progress with photos, drafts, data, and reflections. This becomes evidence for applications!
Encouraging Reminder
The best passion projects come from genuine curiosity, not college strategy!