Summer is not only for fun; consistency and routine are important to prepare for the next school year!
July is finally here, one of the hottest months of the year! Summer is the perfect time to take a break from everything, right? Well, yes and no. Not a clear answer? Let me explain.
Taking a break in the summer is important to recharge your energy, avoid burnout and get motivated for the upcoming fall semester. But it’s also important to maintain some sort of routine. Sure, it’s OK to relax, but sticking to some of your daily habits can make the summer-to-fall transition smoother. Routines can improve your health by helping you manage stress, stay active and keep a consistent sleep schedule.
Whether you want to focus on work, learn something new or meditate, there are plenty of activities to help you create a summer routine. If you need some help getting started, don’t worry, you know our catchphrase, “We’ve got you covered.”
Here’s a list of activities to help you maintain a routine during the summer break and give your physical and mental health a boost.
Dive into a reading list
The school year can get pretty crazy sometimes, with students juggling work and assignments, and reading often takes a back seat. But, summer is the perfect time to catch up on your reading list since things usually slow down a bit.
Make a reading list and set aside dedicated time each day to dive into a good book. According to a study, reading can reduce stress by up to 68 per cent. It helps lower your heart rate and relaxes your muscles. This is because you’re absorbed in a literary world, away from the everyday stress.
Besides crafting a reading list, it’s mutually important to create a cozy reading space. Follow a plan and find a comfy spot at home where you feel relaxed and encouraged to read. A reading routine will keep your brain active during the summer, making those 50-page readings during the school year much easier to handle.
Start off with IGNITE’s list of book recommendations!
Sign up for a summer sports league
Are you a sports person? Whether you’re a baller, a pitcher or just curious, there are plenty of summer sports leagues available in the city.
Getting involved in sports not only boosts your physical and mental health by increasing blood flow to the brain and stimulating creativity but also helps you develop your social skills. Sports bring people together and foster a sense of community.
I can speak from experience. I’ve been playing in a summer soccer league with my friends from school, and it’s really strengthened our bond. It’s helping us build strong friendships and, most importantly, we’re having a fun time.
Playing a game or two a week can help you stay active and establish a routine, which will definitely make your transition to the next school year easier.
No matter what sport you play, there is a summer league available for you. Here’s a list of websites that organize leagues for various sports:
Start a blog
If you got inspired while reading this blog, why not start your own? Blogs are the best friend for those passionate about writing. If you’re in a communications program like journalism or digital communications, creating a blog can help you stand out.
Writing a blog is a way to improve your writing skills and explore topics you have an interest in. Plus, if you make the effort to plan weekly posts, that will encourage you to meet deadlines, cooking up your time-management skills for the school year.
There are many blogging platforms out there, but I would personally recommend Medium. Besides being free – who doesn’t love free stuff – Medium offers many tools to help you express your voice and grow your audience.
LinkedIn also has its own blog platform, which can help you keep your account active even during the summer break.
Work on your resume
Throughout the school year, students often find on-campus jobs, volunteer or even represent their peers as members of the IGNITE Board of Directors. If you’re taking a creative program, you might even have the opportunity to build your portfolio by writing for the school newspaper.
As you look back on the previous academic year, you may see a big pile of things you accomplished – or maybe you followed my advice and started a blog. Now is the perfect time to update and polish your resume. Many of your school activities can be added to your resume such as part-time jobs, leadership positions and even freelance work.
Make sure to follow a structure that best suits your industry and get your resume looking sharp and clean. Summer is also a great time for you to land an internship! Internships can help you get your foot in the door and gain hands-on skills in your field of study.
Being on top of your resume over the summer can help you begin a routine and give you a clear idea of what you have to focus on as you prepare for the next school year.
These activities will help you maintain a routine and stay consistent during the summer break. Consistency can lower stress and anxiety levels, increase feelings of safety and security and improve your focus, organizational skills and productivity. A routine will help keep you in academic shape for the upcoming fall semester.
However, it’s also important to have some fun and unwind. Summer break is also a great opportunity to recharge your energies after a bunch of assignments and deadlines. Camping could be a great option, especially with the warm weather!
Speaking of summer, don’t forget that the IGNITE Summer Contest is on and running! By filling out a quick survey to help us develop our services, you’ll enter a draw to win $1000! The contest is running from June 10 to July 26, so don’t miss out!
If you have a specific activity that helps you stay on a routine during the break, let us know @shareignite.
Feature image courtesy of Link Hoang via Unsplash.
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