As the long summer stretches ahead, students can’t wait to kick back and enjoy some rest and relaxation. While you should always ensure you have time to relax over the summer, you also want to avoid suffering from summer learning loss.
Also known as “summer slide” or “brain drain”, learning loss occurs when students lose some of the hard-won knowledge and skills they have acquired during the school year over the summer holidays. While there is some debate about the level to which learning loss impacts students, the research is compelling. A recent study published in the American Education Research Journal found that more than half of student participants exhibited learning loss during the summer five years in a row.
Nobody expects you to study every day of your holidays, but it’s important that you don’t fall behind and are able to pick up where you left off in your studies and glide into the new school year with confidence. Allocating at least two to three hours per week to enriching activities can tackle summer learning loss and also allow you to have plenty of fun. Here are our top 10 strategies to overcome the summer “brain drain”, but also have a great summer.
1. Participate in a summer course
Summer courses or internships can help you keep up to speed with your high school studies, prepare for college, and explore your career options. There are plenty of summer courses that you can participate in, such as summer camps, virtual courses, or internships. For example, you may be considering a career in medicine, so an internship could be a great way to explore this career path over the summer. Equally, you might want to try different activities and have the independence to experience a few weeks away from home, so an external summer camp could be a good option.
Summers courses not only prevent learning loss, they also allow you to expand your knowledge and skills, make new friends, and boost your confidence as you overcome new challenges. Always do your research, by consulting reviews from previous camp participants and checking the background of the summer course provider, including licenses or accreditations, to ensure a positive experience.
2. Read plenty of books
American journalist, editor, and critic Margaret Fuller famously stated, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Reading is one of the best ways to expand your mind as well as tackle learning loss over the summer holidays. That doesn’t mean that you need to read textbooks back to back. The beauty of reading over the summer is that you can explore different genres and areas of interest from the comfort of your garden or relaxing on the beach. Choosing books that are related to your future academic studies can also help you be ready to shine when you return to high school. For example, you may have a strong interest in science, so you could check out recently released books in your chosen field of interest, whether that relates to astronomy, environmental science, or zoology.
While reading is a solitary activity, it can be even more rewarding when discussed with others. Many libraries offer summer reading programs that will provide you with access to hundreds of books and the opportunity to meet fellow book lovers. Setting up your own book club with friends is another option. Select a book that you can all read and discuss at a weekly meet up, with each member taking turns to lead the debate and prepare questions for the group to consider. This will expose you to different perspectives and allow you to share your thoughts on the reading material.
3. Improve writing skills
Improving your writing skills is well worth the investment over the summer holidays. Strong writing skills are vital in order to effectively express your ideas, thoughts, and opinions, whether in academic, personal, or professional settings. Through regular writing practice, you can hone your skills in researching, drafting, and editing a compelling piece of writing as well as elevate your vocabulary, spelling, and grammatical skills.
Attending a creative writing course provides the opportunity to explore different writing techniques and genres, practice your revision and editing skills, and hone your creativity and writing abilities. Other activities could include keeping a journal, entering a writing competition, providing book reviews on sites such as Amazon, or writing a compelling essay to secure a scholarship for your future studies.
4. Conduct some field trips
Summer is the perfect time to complete some field trips with family and friends. Visiting museums, art galleries, aquariums, and other interactive attractions can be lots of fun and also offer great learning experiences. For example, if you’re hoping to study English or drama, going to the theater to see a play or musical can bring a piece of literature to life and inspire your confidence in acting and singing.
When you attend a memorable field trip, always try to collect any programs or literature to read when you get home and keep for future reference. This will enrich your mind as you learn more about the attraction you have visited and may provide inspiration for future school or college studies. Perhaps you’ve a strong interest in pursuing engineering as a career, so a visit to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum could provide you with plenty of resources and ideas for a school project.
5. Practice your language skills
If you’re going on an overseas trip, you can take this opportunity to boost your language skills as well as explore other cultures. Practicing a language with native speakers is true gold, especially when it comes to perfecting pronunciation, extending vocabulary, and improving conversational skills. If you plan to study that language in the future, this can really help you get ahead in your academic studies.
Having a staycation? If you’re not travelling overseas, then completing some online summer language courses can ensure a smooth transition when you return to school. There are plenty of online courses and mobile applications you can use to practice a foreign language and avoid losing the language skills you acquired during the previous school year.
6. Watch news and documentaries
Watching TV might sound a little strange, but it’s a great way to tackle learning loss from the comfort of your couch. Of course, it’s all about quality over quantity. Incorporating some enriching content in your viewing schedule, such as documentaries to spark an interest in environmental science or nature programs to support your studies in biology, would fall into the quality category. However, even if you watch a documentary unrelated to your high school studies, it will still expand your knowledge and prevent summer learning loss.
Stay updated with the news too. There are plenty of stories relevant to your studies, from scientific breakthroughs to cultural events in your local community. Making a habit of watching the news or reading the newspaper on a daily basis will keep you informed and engaged, allowing you to impress your teacher with insightful questions when you return to class.
7. Conduct some hands-on learning
Participating in hands-on learning can help you prevent summer slide and gain some great life skills. These types of practical activities allow room for creativity and also enhance your critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which can greatly benefit your academic studies too.
There are plenty of activities to choose from, ranging from arts and crafts to cookery and outdoor activities. For example, baking cupcakes for a charity involves mathematical and scientific concepts in measuring ingredients and following a scientific formula to create a delicious final product that you can enjoy. Gardening is a relaxing activity that connects you with nature and can boost your learning across plant life cycles, nutrition, environmental science, and much more.
8. Plan a project
Completing a long-term project over the summer can give you a sense of purpose and also provide a great learning opportunity. The long summer months gives you the time to dive into a significant project, allowing you to fully focus on this activity without the distractions of school. Choose a project that interests you and requires some intellectual effort. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
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Start a blog
Redesign and redecorate your bedroom
Research your family tree
Upcycle an item of furniture (with permission of course!)
Explore art (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography)
Try a new sport
Declutter your room (following the mantra of keep, donate, discard)
Complete a tech project on coding or robotics
Feel free to brainstorm your own ideas as well! Set a clear goal to achieve by the end of summer, then break this into manageable tasks with deadlines, and work steadily toward completion. Delivering a project is extremely rewarding and demonstrates your creativity, determination, and organization skills, which will benefit you as you move into the new school year.
9. Secure a summer job
Colleges are always impressed by students who include summer jobs on their college application as this demonstrates initiative and a strong work ethic. Securing a summer job will allow you to learn new skills, meet new people, and boost your confidence, thereby negating the effect of learning loss. Plus, you will also earn some money! Don’t forget you can also complete volunteer work if you would like to give back twice to the community.
When looking for a summer job, consider whether it aligns with your interests and skills, offers flexibility to complete other activities, and gives you the chance for some relaxation. Overscheduling can leave you feeling burnt out. Remember too that employers must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on youth employment. Check online job boards, attend job fairs, contact local seasonal businesses, and tap into your network of teachers, family, and friends to find out about suitable job opportunities.
10. Work on your weaknesses
While it can be tough to address your weaknesses, it ultimately will make you stronger. Summer offers the space and time to explore areas of improvement, whether that relates to academic pursuits or personal development goals.
Most of us can identify areas we would like to improve. Another option is to consult with a trusted friend or family member for some advice. For example, you may find that a lack of confidence in yourself and your abilities is holding you back. Attending a summer camp or internship could help to build your confidence levels and allow you to grow and develop when faced with different challenges. These experiences can also be a lot of fun and allow you to connect with like-minded individuals.
If you’re looking to improve your academic performance, teachers can provide insight into areas to focus on and activities you can complete over the summer. This doesn’t mean you need to be nose-deep in textbooks. Many of the activities we have suggested can address learning loss and improve your academic performance.
Conclusion - Prevent summer learning loss
Summer learning loss occurs when students lose academic skills and knowledge acquired over the year during the extended summer break from high school. Research shows this issue is particularly problematic across core areas such as math and reading and also acute for students with less access to educational resources over the summer.
Effective strategies to address the impact of learning loss include structured summer courses and camps as well as securing a summer job or internship. Pursuing enriching recreational activities can also be a fun and engaging way to tackle summer learning loss. By following these strategies, students can combat learning loss and excel on their return to school after the summer holidays.
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