Plan the Ultimate Summer for Extracurriculars in Pakistan
It’s officially summer break in Pakistan. That means juicy mangoes, travelling to god-knows-where to visit family, hanging out with friends, and... the growing pressure to magically become the overachieving cousin the community aunties can’t stop talking about. Here’s your step-by-step guide to exploring your interests, growing your skills and building your future.
But chill — planning your summer extracurriculars doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
1. Start with Clear Intentions
Before diving into any extracurricular, make sure your intentions are clear. Don’t join something because it looks good on your profile or because a friend is doing it. You’re building your future — and your journey could be totally different from others. It’s okay to try new things alone or explore interests that others don’t share. Remember: These opportunities aren’t just for college applications or CVs. They’re for you — to grow, explore, and build skills that matter to your story.
2. Don't have a passion? Follow your curiousity.
The best way to join any opportunity? Actually be interested in it. Everyone says, "Follow your passions." But let’s be real, most teens don’t have a fully formed passion yet. And that's OK.
Instead, change the narrative from ‘passion’ to ‘curiosity’. What TikTok videos do you always save? What kind of YouTube rabbit holes do you fall into? What topics seem interesting to you, even if you’ve never really tried them before? Narrow down the things you're curious about by writing them out — that’s your starting point. Maybe it’s game design, psychology, debating, or growing hydroponic lettuce.
3. Choose the Right Kind Of Opportunity (Not Just What Looks Good)
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to extracurriculars. The kind of opportunity you pursue depends on what you want to explore, or what stage you’re in.
For example:
If you have enough experience and are looking to tackle independent projects, research internships might be a good fit.
If you’ve developed strong creative skills, a competition could give you the challenge you’re looking for.
And if you’re just starting out, that’s perfectly okay : take a free online course, explore YouTube tutorials, or join a beginner-friendly workshop to build your base first.
Need more help choosing? Check out our full guide on different types of extracurriculars and what each one can help you achieve.
3. How to Find & Apply to Opportunities
Opportunities are literally everywhere. Here’s what actually works:
You don’t need to burn cash on overpriced programs that promise to “change your life” but only change your bank balance. You also don’t need to force yourself into high-effort courses that don’t even align with your interests, or settle for activities because they sound fancy.
Google like a pro: Try searching keywords like: Follow organizations on Instagram: Most programs post there. The more opportunity/organization accounts you follow, or the more opportunity posts you engage with, the more the algorithm will bring new opportunities to your feed. Ask your teachers, counselors, or older students: Word-of-mouth is underrated. Don’t be shy — reach out to friends, cousins, or mentors and ask what they’ve done or heard of. Pro tip: Use Opportune’s activity database- we have opportunities all across Pakistan and the globe specifically for Pakistani students! Remember, you need to take the first step! When You Apply: Quality > Quantity: Apply to fewer things — but put real effort into each application. Be yourself: Use online resources to learn how to let your personality and interests shine through application essays or videos. Price ≠ Quality: Just because something costs more money doesn’t mean it’s better. Look up reviews, ask around, and don’t fall for “life-changing” promises.
“[type of opportunity] for high school students from Karachi”
“Free online internships for students in Pakistan 2025”
4. You Got In? Make the Most of It.
Here’s the secret: it’s not what opportunity you land — it’s how you use it. Don’t just show up, go all out. Ask questions. Reach out to mentors or speakers. Build a mini-portfolio or project from what you’ve learned. Don’t stop making use of the opportunity because it ended. If you enjoyed that experience, turn it into many outcomes: growth, connections, skills, and confidence. This not only helps you grow tremendously but can also shape your college applications. For example: If you learned Python at a summer camp or off YouTube and enjoyed it, don’t stop there. Start a school coding club. Build a mini-project. Create a YouTube series showing what you’ve learned.
5. You Didn’t Get In? Pivot your Approach.
Rejection hurts, but it means that you’re trying. Here’s how to bounce back:
Reflect: What could you personally have done better? Did you rush your application?
Build Privately: Learn on your own, research a topic, or start a personal project. Basically create your own experience.
Apply Again: Don’t just quit. Apply to more opportunities using what you learned, and don't be afraid to reach out to others, like older peers or people with experience, for help.
This is how achievers are made — they just keep showing up.
Reflect: What could you personally have done better? Did you rush your application?
Build Privately: Learn on your own, research a topic, or start a personal project. Basically create your own experience.
Apply Again: Don’t just quit. Apply to more opportunities using what you learned, and don't be afraid to reach out to others, like older peers or people with experience, for help.
Final Word: Build a Summer That Builds You
It’s highly unlikely that one opportunity will magically change your life. But how you show up, reflect, and grow from it absolutely can.
So follow your curiosity. Try new things. Whether it’s through Opportune, a local NGO, a podcast you start in your room, or an online course you actually finish, make your summer count for you. When you come out of it, you won’t just have another thing to list on a CV. You’ll have proof that you’re building your future, one opportunity at a time.