Finally, after a long school year, it's time for summer break! No more early mornings getting ready for school, no more late nights studying for tests or rushing to finish your assignments.
Transitioning from your regular school routine to summer vacation can be quite an adjustment. It can be a great to take time to relax and get some rest. However, what you choose to do after those first few weeks sets the tone for the rest of the summer.
A few tips to keep in mind during your summer break.
- Plan your sleep. Bedtime and curfews are probably different during the summer than the school year. Getting the right amount of sleep with a consistent sleep schedule is still important for your mind and body to function even though you don't have school. Try to stick with reasonable times for going to bed and getting up, this will make it easier to adjust when the new school year begins.
- Eat healthy. While school lunch might not have been your favorite, it did offer a balanced meal that gave you the nutrients you needed. Try keeping a similar structure for meals during the summer. Even though it may seem convenient to snack on treats throughout the day, come up with a plan to eat healthy foods and meals during the day. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water too, it's easy to get dehydrated in the heat.
- Get up and get out. Summer is the perfect time to go outside and get active. Go swimming, take a bike ride, or take the dog for a walk.
- Keep your brain active. Similar to the importance of being physically active, you want to make sure to keep your brain active too. Was there anything that you thought about doing, but didn't have the time for because of school? Summer is the perfect time to do it! Think about what topics interest you, watch some videos or do some research to learn more about them. Read a book. Try a new hobby or craft.
- Help around the house. If you have more free time on your hands, your family will appreciate you pitching in to help. Ask your caregivers if they need help with any lawn work, gardening, or other projects. Picking up extra tasks could leave you with a feeling of accomplishment, keeps you busy, and you might find that you like doing some of it!
- Find Support. It can also be normal for you to miss school when the year ends. Teachers, coaches, and friends can be wonderful supports and you may not get to see them as much over the summer. Plan times to get together with friends. If offered by your coaches, participate in summer training. Try summer learning either through your school or your local library. Sign up for a club, team, or camp to learn new skills, and meet new friends and caring adults to help you get through the summer. These types of activities will help you to bridge the gap from the people you relied on at school for support. As always, if you need additional support, you can always reach out.
- Take time for a reset. Redo your room before heading into the next school year; rearrange your stuff, make some new decorations, or paint your walls a different color. Clear out your backpack and make a list of any new school supplies that you might need. Go through your clothes, try them on, get rid of the things that you have outgrown, organize what is left so you are ready for the next school year.
Stay safe and have fun!
