The summer break is almost over. You might feel sad or even a little anxious about the whole ordeal. Coming back to academic life after a long break is not an easy task. As a student, you have probably wondered – what is the best way to get back into your studies?
Table of Contents
👎 Downsides
⏳ Getting Ready
📚 Further Reading
🎓 How to Get Back
🔗 References
👎 Downsides of Summer Breaks
Most students can’t wait for their summer break. It is a great way to rest after a busy academic year and recharge. Such a long rest allows us to solidify all the information we have learned so far while also giving our brains a rest. Other students have already explored similar topics in an academic format – you can check our essay samples to learn more about the benefits of relaxation.
Unfortunately, summer breaks are not without their issues. The most prominent one is the concept itself – it is only a time off that will eventually end. You will have to return to your studies, which can be astonishingly hard. Why, though?
What is summer learning loss?
Also known as a summer slide, summer learning loss is a drop in academic ability due to a long break. According to research, schools see a decline in performance at the start of the first term.
Summer programs can help combat summer loss. They can be beneficial for both school and college students – any learner may suffer from this problem.
Pros and cons of long breaks
In general, any long break has its advantages and disadvantages. These include:
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Breaks provide time to recharge and get rested. | You might forget what you have learned throughout the year. |
| You can take internships to boost your LinkedIn profile and resume. | You may get bored by the lack of activities. |
| Summer school classes may enhance your understanding of any material. | It will be tricky to adjust to the next school year. |
| Extra free hours allow you to work and save money. | You will do the majority of the chores around the house. |
| You get an opportunity to improve your social skills. | You can pick up unhealthy habits (eating junk food, gaming too much, etc.) |
| You can exercise more. | Your emotional health may suffer. |
⏳ Getting Ready to Return: Last Days of Summer
We understand that wasting your summer vacation on mindless entertainment is pretty tempting. This is especially true when you know that your break is nearly over. However, to make your academic life easier, it is best to start getting ready for your studies a couple of weeks before you return.
In the sections below, we have outlined some advice to help you physically and mentally prepare for going back to school.
Preparing practically
Stock up on stationery. In the digital age, college students rarely need more than a laptop to study. Nonetheless, physical supplies like pens, notebooks, calculators, folders, and the like are still necessary. Plus, getting new stationery is always enjoyable! Ensure you have everything you need for your upcoming classes and buy anything you need.
Acquire the required books. You can always check your curriculum ahead of time to find out which study materials you need for your classes. Getting them in advance will save you time and stress. Purchase the required books from a store, get them second-hand, or download them digitally. In addition, make sure you have the correct editions.
Complete summer homework. Double-check whether or not you have been given any assignments to complete over the holidays. Your professors might have advised anything from revising some projects or reading the required literature. Try not to rush it all at the last minute. Give yourself a couple of weeks to complete everything.
Set up the perfect study space. Do you have an area in your house, dorm, or apartment that helps you focus? If you don’t, you have to create one. It is much easier to concentrate on your work when you have a specific study area. Even if you don’t have a lot of room, you can still find a cozy corner with limited distractions.
Organize your wardrobe. It might sound irrelevant but sorting out your clothes is an essential step. This activity lets you prepare for getting back to school both physically and mentally. It signifies a fresh start for your new year of study. Thus, remove the items that no longer fit well and organize what is left. Check whether you have everything you need for your upcoming classes and buy what you require.
Try to find a study group. Are you the type of person who works better with pals? Then think about looking for study buddies before the semester starts. After all, finding the right people is often a huge task on its own. You can begin your search on university forums, online message boards, or at your local library!
Preparing mentally
📚 Research Materials on Summer Slide
Still unsure how summer learning loss works and how it can affect students? Feel free to check the academic studies below.
🎓 How to Get Back Into Studying
Every tip we have offered above can help you get ready for the upcoming academic year. Unfortunately, even with all the preparation, the first study weeks can be disorienting after such a long break. That’s why here, see several steps that will enable you to switch from resting to learning without a struggle.
👆 Step 1: Curate your study schedule. You can quickly get too busy and forget critical deadlines, events, assignments, and extracurriculars. Writing a plan can solve this issue and reduce stress. Print your schedule out and place it on your wall. Or just make it your lock-screen image.
👆 Step 2: Set time for each study session. In your weekly plan, dedicate hours to studying and breaks. As we’ve mentioned, you are likely to stay focused in a quiet environment. So, ensure you can have each study session in the library, half-empty cafe, or any other appropriate area.
👆 Step 3: Reward yourself for accomplishing your goals. As soon as you develop a plan, set the final objective of the day, week, or term. It will motivate you to get things done on time. Besides, don’t forget to reward yourself for your achievements! Ley yourself take a day off or buy something you like as an award for your hard work.
👆 Step 4: Make sure to take breaks. To rest efficiently, you should step away from your studies for at least 20-minutes every couple of hours. For this period, don’t even think about anything school-related. Studies show that breaks lead to high productivity and balanced mental health.
👆 Step 5: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It can be a true challenge for some students, but a good explanation can improve your studies by far. Asking for help also builds connections between people. It allows you to get fresh ideas and gain new perspectives. One of the best ways to learn something is to ask questions and explain something in return.
📱 8 Study Resources for a Returning Student
Finally, to ensure that your transition from summer break to study days is as seamless as possible, we have one last piece of advice.
Below, check the list of the most valuable apps and websites for those trying to end their summer break.
Any.do is an app that helps people stay organized. By downloading it, they get all the tasks synced across the devices. For students who come back from the summer break, this app can plan the entire day and notify them of upcoming events.
Forest is a great resource that enables people to focus on tasks longer than usual. It works like a game that provides visual stimulation to beat phone addiction. You see a growing tree that will die if you leave the app to scroll through social media. It helps fight procrastination and stay concentrated until the task is finished.
Calendly is an excellent tool for scheduling meetings. It has a free plan, which is terrific for students on a tight budget. The app can plan and arrange joint activities or group study sessions.
GoConqr is a software that enables students to quickly learn various concepts. The program creates mind maps and visuals for the ideas. One of the ways you can use it is by adding content throughout the year. Thus, you can revise the material at the end of the summer break in no time.
KanbanFlow is a project management tool that can also be used to track school assignments. It has a multi-user to-do list if you work on a group task. It is very flexible and can help you adjust to the busy academic year.
MyStudyLife is a must-have platform for coming back to school after a summer break. This app will let you keep track of all assignments, exams, tasks, and classes in one place. In other words, it will organize your school life for you.
Hemingway Editor will enable you to write clearly. It can simplify the text and format it for you. One of the best features for the students is that it highlights grammar mistakes and shows how to fix them.
Quizlet can make learning fun, providing flashcards, games, and expert-written solutions. The resource gives you the freedom to study the way that works for you. Plus, you can go and check the flashcards from the previous semester. This way, you will refresh any material that you have forgotten.
Thank you for your attention! We hope our article will help you get back to your studies without trouble. If your friends also struggle with the end of the summer vacations, send them the link to this page.
