The bell rings and eager students race for the door. School is out for the summer! Everyone is looking forward to a relaxing vacation. No one wants to think about studying. In today’s society, we often treat work and play to the extremes. During the school year, many students work diligently, giving up entertainment, relaxation, and even sleep in order to excel. When summer comes around, that fiery workaholic attitude is completely extinguished. Nevertheless, just because school is out, that doesn’t mean you cannot have a productive summer. Learning should still be an essential part of your summer vacation, no matter how big or small.
Growing up, my parents always felt that learning was a continuous part of life and tried to foster my passion for knowledge. They often wove educational activities into an active schedule of swimming at the beach, visiting amusement parks, and watching movies. Young minds are like sponges that can soak up so much every day. This should not go to waste. Learning comes in all shapes and forms. It does not necessarily entail school, homework, textbooks, and tests.
Summer is the perfect time for teens to learn in a novel way or to explore a new skill or interest. Choose a skill that really intrigues you. If you are an artist, try your hand at some new crafts. I spent one summer learning how to make beaded jewelry. It became one of my hobbies, and I love to make little trinkets for family and friends. They make really unique gifts!
If art isn’t up your alley, you can pick up a new sport. When I was younger, I learned tennis from a city-funded organization for free. Well, it was more like waving a racket around wildly. Needless to say, I did not have remarkable hand-eye coordination skills. Another summer, I picked up ice skating, which I have continued to practice ever since. The ice rink is the best place to beat the heat in the summertime.
Another useful skill I picked up during the summer was how to type. My mother made it a game and by the time I went back to school in the fall, I could touch type with ease. Search for lessons or classes online or in your neighborhood that can best meet your interests. Many times, you can find classes in the city that are inexpensive and even free of charge.
The internet often provides many valuable resources for teaching yourself a new skill, from “how to” guides to video demonstrations. Sometimes, learning by trial-and-error can be the most rewarding experience. One summer, I decided to learn Italian using BBC’s free online beginner language courses. This online language program offers courses in 40 different languages including Chinese, French, and Italian. I learned and practiced a few basic words and phrases just for fun. It even helped to foster my passion for Italian opera. Another summer, I taught myself how to play the flute using a how-to book and YouTube tutorials. I enjoyed looking up my favorite pop songs and jamming out on the flute. Learning a new instrument can be the start of a lifelong passion for music.
Many students try to avoid schoolwork as much as possible, but it is never a bad idea to get a head start on school. Especially for teens, preparing a little bit for school can make your high school years a lot more manageable and less stressful. If possible, take a look at the syllabuses of the classes you will be taking the following year. Know your strengths and weaknesses. See if you can get a preview of some of your more challenging courses. The library often has many prep books that you can skim through. Also, the internet offers many online lessons that you can browse through briefly to get a better sense of the subject you will tackle. Kahn Academy is my personal favorite, especially when it comes to math, which is not my strongest subject. The site offers tutorials and videos for every topic from math to finance to history. Each video is only 10 to 15 minutes long, but gives a thorough overview of the topics. I found that getting a slight head start keeps me on my toes and allows me to learn in a stress-free environment.
Using your summer to learn can be satisfying and helpful for your academic career. Nevertheless, make sure you balance work and play. Your summer should still be about enjoyment and relaxation. Throw in a few fun educational activities once in a while. Try some with some friends. Add some variety to your summer and make it even more worthwhile.
Aglaia Ho is a 17-year-old student from Queens who enjoys writing. Her work has been published in Creative Kids, Skipping Stones, Daily News Children’s Pressline, and the State of the Wild.
