Real Summer Plans from a Real Student

Summer is much more than a season. It is a time for creating plans, finding new hobbies, working hard, and overall prioritizing rest.

How to Spend a Summer Break

Without having to worry about whether you'll have your homework done in time, there are plenty of things you can do. There are so many opportunities that may be right around the corner. Maybe all you have to do is talk about your interests.

Continue to Work Hard

Discussing my interests landed me the opportunity to apply for this Fastweb Student Contributor internship. Having a job or internship can help you practice skill-development, give exposure to others in a workplace, and build confidence. Sometimes all it takes is a push in the right direction. It requires responsibility and hard work, which you can practice maintaining while not being in school.

Summer School

Although summer school allows students to do many things, its popularity has slowed over the years. With the extra learning over the summer, students can improve all-around. They will develop stronger problem-solving skills, become more inquisitive, and explore their class options further. An important point to make is that students are able to stay on track with their academics and improve their skills. Also, the classes are usually smaller, creating more room to learn and ask questions individually. Summer school gives students the opportunity to take classes outside of what they normally would, or classes they don't have room to take during the school year. With the right motivation and work-ethic summer school can be extremely beneficial.  Summer is a great time to take interest in dual credit courses. Like the benefits of taking summer school, this keeps you disciplined and responsible. There are many different varieties to take note of when exploring. These courses can get you ahead on college credits as well as saving you money for the future. The UCM website states that dual credit can save you 74% of the cost compared to one year of college costs as an undergraduate. Dual credit courses create a smoother transition from high school to college.

Summer Time=Quality Time

If you are anything like me, you are not home during the school year very often. With all of the sports, clubs and club meetings, and other activities I need to attend, the work-load can seem endless. Most of it seems to fall off the second school ends, but there are still days that feel like the weight is back.  As someone who prioritizes family time, summer is my favorite time of the year. I take advantage of the free time I have in every way possible. Even on vacations, I leave every burden at home so that I can be in the moment. These are the kinds of memories that you will look back fondly on in the years to come.

Maintaining and Balancing Productivity and Rest

Summer is the season of improvement. This time can be used to improve yourself mentally or physically, or even working on a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Explore yourself and the options you have at your fingertips.

The Importance of a Schedule

In an article written by Brown University Health, they directly say that children thrive under a routine. Structure and consistency are vital. Now, with all things considered, have fun but don't overwhelm yourself with endless bucket lists that you must get done. Start out smaller with thought-out schedules, to-do lists, and attainable bucket lists. Take on only as much as you know you can. Don't forget that you may have other obligations that require more attention and time than others.

The Season of Rest

Summer can be conflicting for a number of reasons. It is considered “Summer Break”, but how much of a break is really being had? I personally have always struggled with letting myself rest. My whole life has been go go go. When it's not, I always ask, “What do I do with myself?” It feels wrong to sit in silence or enjoy a nap without being paranoid of being late for something. Summer, which I claim as The Season of Rest, is a vital time to allow yourself grace.  There will be busy days that will have the hustle and bustle of a normal school year, filled with things such as a job, sports camps, competitions, and other activities. I can’t stress enough that time management is one of the greatest qualities a person can possess. The best thing you can do for yourself is to breathe. Take the time to even things out to where you get at least seven hours of sleep. Listen to what your body is telling you; breaks are okay to take. Take things one day at a time, maybe even one checkmark at a time! This is your life; allow yourself to take control.