The Coronavirus outbreak currently rippling through the country and the world has had a major impact on many day-to-day lives. COVID-19’s spread has led many schools and workplaces to shut down or operate remotely, and at this point it’s unclear what the virus’s impact will be in terms of both longevity and severity. There have been optimistic rumblings that the virus may be seasonal and summer’s warmer weather will mark the end of this outbreak, however this is far from a consensus opinion.
As a result, the Coronavirus is impacting families who need to plan their teenagers’ summers. Pre-college summers can be invaluable, both in terms of personal development and potential impact on the college admissions process – however, the uncertainty posed by the virus makes planning that much more challenging.
At Everything Summer, we’re working closely with pre-college programs and client families to help effectively plan for summer amidst this concern. So what steps can families take to account for Coronavirus when planning a pre-college summer?
Appraise Program Options
It’s vital to have an understanding of what options exist for your teenager, even if you’re unsure of what (if any) impact the virus will have this summer. You’ll want to consider your comfort level with international travel, particularly in heavily affected regions. If your student is planning on taking courses on a college campus, understand what steps the university is currently taking – for example, some universities are suspending in-person courses for spring semester and transitioning to remote classrooms. How might this impact summer offerings?
If you have hesitations about committing to a program, get a sense of the space and so you can gauge how urgently a decision will be required. If you’re able, it may make sense to put down a deposit to secure a spot in a filling program. You might even want to come up with multiple summer “plans”, so that you can adapt depending on how the situation unfolds.
Approach Program Directors
Reach out to the programs you’re considering, and get a sense of how they are responding. Are they actively monitoring the situation or making any concrete plans as it relates to the virus and their programming? For travel programs, are they still planning to run all trips? If you’re considering a pre-college academic program, do they plan to hold all summer sessions? You may want to inquire about any insurance options available in the event that programming is impacted.
Many trusted program providers have long histories, and have experience preparing for similar medical scenarios (such as the H1N1 outbreak in 2009). While we can’t forecast how the coronavirus outbreak will play out, it’s helpful to understand what steps pre-college programs have taken in the past. Try to understand what medical care is available, and to ensure that you feel comfortable about the protocols in place.
Keep A Cool Head
In the current circumstances, it can be difficult not to panic – ultimately, much about this virus is unknown and that makes planning for the future scary. That said, remember that many well-regarded program providers have earned their strong reputations. Don’t jump to any conclusions about what impact the Coronavirus will or will not have – if you approach the situation methodically and with a level head, taking into account different options and their implications, you will still be able to effectively plan your student’s summer.
While the Coronavirus is certainly not to be ignored, that doesn’t mean it needs to derail your teen’s pre-college summer. By heeding the above advice, you can methodically and effectively plan your student’s summer in a way that accounts for the possible disruptions the virus may pose. And as always, if you need professional guidance to determine the best course of action amidst the current outbreak, Everything Summer is here to help.