text: Although teachers choosing summer projects can be fine for younger children, teenagers should be given the chance to independantly come up with ideas for their summer projects for personal and mental growth. The education system cannot have students expecting to be told how to do everything, as that will not get them anywhere further in life. Creativity is needed to find new ways of approaching old ideas, without it the world woudl stagnate. Ambiguity can only hurt the final product of an idea. Passion is needed for one to put as much effort as possible into completing a task, so the result can be up to standard, or better than expected. By instilling, or removing, these traits/problems early, the school system will not have failed the students themselves. Starting small, even in a summer school project, can end with a massive impact on students' futures.Should extracurricular activities be mandatory?