We’ve all been there – returning to routine after a significant break can be difficult to say the least, especially when it comes to school. Students, teachers, and parents – listen up. This one’s for you.
If you’re a student, you know firsthand how rough those first days back to school can be: the early hours, the new routines, the seemingly never-ending syllabi…the list goes on and on. Parents and teachers, you are there to help, naturally. There are ways to encourage students to stay studious over the summer without being overbearing and boring.
Today, we’ll be talking about different at-home activities for parents to try and for teachers to encourage so that the inevitable return to school is a breeze for all parties involved.
Stick around. We think these ideas will be worth your while!
Libraries across the country host summer reading programs for kids (and adults) of all ages, and they’re typically free to participate in. Some people on our 1st Place team say their local library gave out prizes, while others say they got coupons to local activities and restaurants. The prizes and incentives can vary. And hey, if your library doesn’t offer this summer activity, it’s easy to create your own with personalized incentives, points systems, etc.
The idea here is simple: you read a certain quantity and/or quality of books over the summer, and the frequency can vary. Some libraries say you simply have to read a certain number over the course of the summer, some have it on a more weekly/monthly basis, and others have stricter requirements, expecting participants to read certain material to complete the activity.
Reading is a great, easy, and potentially free way to encourage students to keep their brains active (not to mention that it’s a good way to break away from everyday technology and virtual entertainment). Whether you opt for E-books or physical copies, reading is reading, and it behooves all to read something regularly.
Get Some Hands-on Experience
There’s no better challenge than to learn something by doing. If you’re of age, summer jobs are great options that can teach budgeting, time management, and communication skills. However, that’s a pretty select group of students, unless you rope in babysitting, yard work, house sitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and other odd jobs.
The summer months are the perfect time to build up that resume – and no, it’s never too early to think about that, as stressful as it can be. You can try new hobbies or ramp up your service hours through regular volunteer work. The summer is your oyster, and doing something significant with it can show that you’re dedicated and goal-oriented – two traits found in ultimately successful people. Who knows, you might even return to school with some better habits and routines than before.
Learn Something New
We get it. You just finished a year’s worth of classes and education, so why would you want to spend your summer doing the same? The thing about summer classes is that they can be pretty different from what you know during the school year – they can be more hands-on, perhaps more laid back, and filled with like-minded peers.
Plus, summer classes don’t have to be boring! There are usually summer programs for fun subjects like photography, art, cooking, athletics, videography, foreign languages, music, and much more! That’s not even considering programs that local aquariums, planetariums, museums, and zoos might offer.
When it comes to learning something new in a summer class, the sky’s the limit, quite literally. You’ll definitely return to school with the opportunity to share something you’ve learned this summer rather than all the same old, same old “I didn’t really do much” phrases or annual flexed summer vacation stories.
Seize Your Summer with 1st Place Spiritwear
While we specialize in school spiritwear and fundraising, we’re still here for you year-round. Our team at 1st Place Spiritwear is always pumping out content for students, teachers, and parents alike because there’s always something to learn, right? Do your school proud by staying studious this summer, and try returning the favor by showing your school pride with some 1st Place Spiritwear while you’re at it! School pride = supporting your school, even if it is “just” a T-Shirt.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for More 1st Place Spiritwear Blog Content this Summer!
