Summer is an exciting time – no classes, no homework, and long days spent enjoying the sun. However, it’s important to remember that taking a long break from school can also lead to what’s known as ‘summer slide’. This term refers to the tendency for students to lose some of the knowledge and skills they learned during the previous school year over the summer months. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways that students can stay engaged and avoid summer slide. In this post, we’ll share five tips that can help keep your brain active and your educational progress on track during the summer months
Keep reading – all the time!
Reading is an incredibly important skill, and one that can be improved by simply practicing regularly. Make sure that you always have a book with you, whether you’re sitting poolside, heading to the beach or just taking a break at home. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will expand, and the better your comprehension skills will become. If you’re struggling to get started, try setting goals for yourself, or find a book series that you really enjoy.
Take a course
Summer can be a great time to explore a topic that you find interesting but might not be covered in school. With so many online courses available, including some that are free, there’s no reason not to explore. Find a subject that you’re curious about and take a course that will give you an in-depth look into that area. It could be anything from learning how to code to studying astrophysics. Challenge yourself and see how much you can learn.
Stay productive
One of the dangers of summer break is that it can often be too easy to slip into a pattern of days that are long on leisure and short on accomplishment. Balance is key – make sure you’re taking some time to relax, but also find activities that keep you productive. This could be anything from volunteer work to gardening to starting a summer gig. You’ll feel more satisfied with your days if you’re able to look back and see all that you’ve accomplished.
Practice your math skills
Every student has subjects they enjoy more than others, but it’s important to make sure that your weaker subjects don’t fall behind. One way to make sure you keep up with your math skills is to practice daily. With so many math apps and games available, there’s no reason why you can’t have fun while also sharpening your skills. You might even enjoy math more than you thought!
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to keep your brain active while also reflecting on your thoughts and experiences during the summer. Writing regularly can help improve your writing skills and give you a space to be creative, make new connections and come up with new ideas. Start by setting a goal for the length of time you want to spend writing each day, or try asking yourself questions and seeing where your journaling takes you.
The summer is an exciting time, but that doesn’t mean you should take a break from learning. By setting goals, staying productive, and finding ways to challenge yourself, you can avoid summer slide and start the next school year feeling confident and prepared. So, go ahead and enjoy your summer, but don’t forget to keep your brain active and engaged as you go!
Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash
