School’s out and summer break’s here! Summer is a time for us to relax and unwind from a hectic school year. Many of us would have gone through stressful tests, assessments or examinations and summer is a great period to recharge. But, with so much free time, we may slip into unproductive habits and lose a sense of focus, and when the new school term comes around, we may shamefully admit to ourselves that we did not actually achieve anything in the holidays. While the break is, of course, a chance for us to “slack off”, it would be much more meaningful if we go through this period of time to sharpen our skills and come out of summer refreshed and ready to start school once more.

How can we spend our summer to the fullest?

Find New Experiences

Free from the tyranny of school, perhaps try new things and step out of your comfort zone. It’s easy to feel a sense of comfort and complacency in your usual environment, but by doing so, you won’t be able to learn new knowledge and expand your horizons. Sure, novelty is scary, but you don’t need to take giant leaps out of your comfort zone. Instead, take small steps.

For example, it can be as simple as exploring your neighborhood. Maybe take a nature walk and observe the flora and fauna around you. You can also say “hi” to your neighbors and get to know them better. Make your summer a little less empty by signing up for programs, such as signing up for summer camps to form connections with other like-minded youth. Volunteer your time for non-profit organizations working for a good cause, such as Just Ask A Teen. Not only can you earn service hours, but you can also make a difference! (Check my article Volunteering w/ Nonprofits for more.)

Invest in Your Hobbies and Interests

With fewer academic commitments, you can have more time to cultivate hobbies that you may have pushed aside or de-prioritized during the school term. You can play sports with your friends or engage in art- or academic-based hobbies. Finding an online community, such as a Discord server or sub-reddit, that focuses on your interest will allow you to develop it further. Linking back to the previous section, join summer programs in your favorite fields to pick up new skills.

You can also find new pastimes to keep yourself occupied. How about trying stamp collecting or gardening? Watch tutorial videos on coding or crocheting. Or, perhaps learn life skills, such as engaging yourself in baking or taking classes on how to apply first aid.

Revise What You’ve Learnt, and Prepare Yourself for the New School Year

Yes, I get it. The last thing many would want to do in summer is study. But, hear me out. In summer, you run the risk of letting your brain rot and forgetting much of the information you learnt in the classroom. It won’t hurt to schedule 30 minutes every day to revise and update your notes for a subject. Create a timetable for the entire week and block out time to revise.

If you’re extra bored, you can prepare yourself for the new school year by checking out the topics you’ll be covering. You can pick up your new textbooks or rely on online resources such as Khan Academy. You can also find study communities, so studying would be a tad less lonely.

Read

With plenty of time on your hands, take some time to sit down with a good book and read. Reading allows you to obtain new knowledge and nourish your memory, concentration, imagination and empathy. Aside from reading lists that your school may provide, check out literary classics or contemporary ground-breakers. Follow book review blogs or Bookstagram accounts. Join book clubs to discuss books together with fellow readers and understand the stories better. Support your local bookstores by buying from them.

Create Routines and Maintain Good Habits

Summer can be a time to reflect on the school term. What worked and what didn’t? Maybe you procrastinated a bit too much and found you often had trouble keeping up with deadlines. Or, you had unhealthy relationships that sapped your energy and caused your mind and body to suffer. You may find you struggled to speak up in class or had problems understanding a certain concept.

Find self-improvement articles with helpful tips to tackle these challenges. Seek advice from family members and friends who may be able to help out. Set up a routine to achieve your goals and finish your tasks on time. Set boundaries for your relationships, cut off ties with those not worth your time and save your energy for those who do. Find strategies and techniques that work well for you and apply them in your life, so you’ll be ready when school reopens.