people are still unsure of what they really want to do, and that’s normal! Often, it takes students a few wrong turns before they find the academic path they’re meant to travel. That said, knowing your skills and personality can help smooth out the road ahead. When you try new things, you learn about yourself. You discover what activities you love and which aren’t for you. More importantly, you discover how you like to work, where you thrive, and what kind of lifestyle fits your personality. You might find you love to collaborate with a big team. You might realize you’re pretty introverted and would prefer a career that allows you to fly solo. You might find out you love the challenge of working under pressure and solving tough problems...goodbye, English major, hello, future lawyer! 5. Introduces you to new ideas and people The world is a big place. Really, really big. Every part of it is filled with unique people and cultures, but most people are only familiar with their own, tiny corner. Broadening your horizons and getting to know people from all walks of life fosters appreciation, respect, and killer success.
One study compared the problem-solving skills of groups of students with the same nationality to those with varied nationalities. While students reported being more comfortable working with peers that were similar to themselves, the groups with different nationalities consistently finished faster and were more accurate than the single nationality groups. In other words, being around people who think differently than we do broadens our perspective and allows us to understand life, and ourselves, in new ways. 6. Looks great on college applications Having a wide range of experiences on your college applications shows the admissions office that you have a growth mindset- you’re excited to learn, up for a challenge, and ready for whatever college throws your way. You only have one summer 2020, so don’t play it safe. Put yourself out there, take a risk, and get fired up about something new! It might be scary, but you won’t regret it.
Northwestern University’s
Center for Talent Development AN EXPERIENCE YOU’LL SHARE FOR A LIFETIME CTD Summer Program Dig deep into a subject of interest, build upon your academic strengths, and connect with a community of peers. CTD offers • Fast-paced, advanced enrichment and credit-bearing courses • Single and multi-week programs
Center for Talent Development
at Northwestern University helps students reach full potential in their subject areas of strength. CTD’s pathways approach leads students on a journey of intellectual, emotional and social growth.
• Residential and commuter options Courses are available for students in elementary through high school in a variety of subject areas including engineering and design, technology, and leadership and service-learning. Visit the CTD website for admission criteria.
Explore all programs online using CTD’s Explore Courses tool! ctd.northwestern.edu
