Balancing Summer & Studying: Your Guide to a Productive and Restful Break

Welcome back to another newsletter from RRA!

Summer is a great way to get ahead in academics. However, it is important to make sure that you are still enjoying the time off from school and recharging your battery! While summer may seem like three months of time for enrichment and academics, it’s important that students get outside and have fun!

For some light work to ensure your brain stays active and warm, here are some quick tips for ways to stay on-track academically:

• Review content from classes like geometry, algebra, or science classes. These classes typically will come back in higher levels, so ensuring you retain information is very helpful. If you’re taking a language class, practicing twice or three times a week for thirty minutes can make all the difference in the fall.

• Read! Whether you’re reading nonfiction books, or short-and-easy fantasy books, reading is a great way to keep your brain stimulated while also building cognitive ability.

• Visit a museum! Learning doesn’t just have to be from a book. Going out and interacting with art and history museums is a great way to have a summer adventure while also gaining new knowledge.

For some more rigorous work to advance academic interests:

• Try taking some Khan Academy lessons on a class you will be taking in the Fall! Working ahead can help lessen the burden come school time and prime you to advance in the class

• Study for the PSAT, ACT, or SAT. Nearly every student will have to take some form of standardized test. Whether you’re entering the 9th grade, or getting ready to start your senior year, test prep is always a beneficial activity to work into your day. Reach out to RRA if you want help making a study plan!

Above all, remember balance is key. Summer is a critical time for students to take their mind off school (even if for just a little) and relax. Ensuring that you go outside, relax, hang out with friends, and catch up on sleep is just as important to cognitive development. Academics and relaxation are both possible with the right balance. Whether you do an hour of academic work in the mornings and take afternoons off or have fun in the mornings and study at night, balance is achievable by prioritizing both mental rejuvenation and academic engagement. Finding a rhythm that suits your needs ensures you maintain productivity while enjoying your well-deserved break.