How to Stay Motivated Over Summer Break

How to Stay Motivated Over Summer Break

Katya Boskovic

June 26th 2021

Attention high school students! Are you starting to feel the lull of summer? While the school year can be truly hectic, the relaxation enveloping summer may seem an extreme change. It’s important to stay motivated all year round in order to maintain a clear and focused mindset! Here are six tips to help keep you motivated over summer vacation!

1. Sleep schedule!

Although going to bed late and sleeping in late may be what you have craved all school year, a sleep schedule can be really beneficial to maintaining some type of structure to your summer days! This doesn’t mean that you have to be the first one to fall asleep and the first one to wake up; however, this does mean that being mindful of time and the amount of sleep you are getting does not lose importance during the summertime! We often have commitments that require an early start to the day and continuously going to sleep when the clock hits the early hours of the AM can result in less than the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep! The typical result of going to sleep late is waking up late and before you know it the productive and refreshing morning hours have managed to slip away!

2. Learning doesn’t have to stop!

Depending on whether or not you are taking a few courses over the summer months, structured assignments and lessons may no longer be a part of your day. Although school may no longer be in session, that doesn’t mean that learning has to go completely out the window until late August! Has there ever been a book you wished your English class read? Perhaps you saw a science project from another class that looked interesting but you didn’t get the chance to try it? Learning during the summer can be what you make it! Choose your favorite school subject and run with it! If you are interested in a particular era in history, search for documentaries, books, or movies centered on that! Interested in learning a new language! Delve into the language of your choice by downloading a language learning app! Time spent learning is never wasted!

3. Try a new hobby!

Take advantage of the free time that comes with summer by trying a new hobby! Anything from pottery techniques to delicious bakes to tennis skills can add vibrancy to your summer! Now is the time to explore the hobbies you didn’t have time for during the school year! Whether your desired hobby is obscure or popular, grab your computer or a book and utilize the research skills you gained in school from perhaps science or English class! Examples of hobbies include learning a new instrument, cooking, writing stories or poems, and, of course, dancing! Hobbies can be garnered with family and friends, too! Join a book club with your fellow bookworm buddy or take an exercise class with your sports teammate! Have fun with your new adventure and stay motivated as you master a new craft!

4. Summer job!

Interested in adding to your resumé or making money during the summer? Demonstrate drive and determination by entering the workforce with what may be your first job! Job suggestions perfect for high school students include babysitting and summer camp counseling! Do you have a favorite store, restaurant, or coffee shop? Walk in or call and ask if they’re hiring! It never hurts to ask! A summer job can be the perfect answer to feeling productive as you learn new skills and know the satisfaction that comes with earning money through work done well! A part-time job in particular allows you to separate the day into work and fun without feeling like you’re missing out on the vacation part of summer break! If you find job openings that are looking for multiple hires, ask a friend if they are searching for a job, too, and you can start applying together! A summer job contributes to that feeling of drive in the morning where you are ready to seize the day!

5. Organize your space!

Do you know that feeling when you come home after a long day and all you want is to be surrounded by a clean and organized bedroom? Decluttering your room can be a great way to unwind and be content and at peace with the space around you. It can be stressful having clothes and papers strewn around the room and we all know about “the chair” that can seemingly become the center for miscellaneous items! By organizing one portion of your room at a time, you can get rid of items that you don’t really need and that have just been collecting dust! Cleaning one section at a time can also help the process to appear less overwhelming! Organizing tasks can mean anything from going through the clothes in your closet you never wear and donating them to dusting every surface as being surrounded by dust is unhealthy. Play some energetic music and happy cleaning! Have some peace of mind with your new clean space!

6. Set new goals!

While still enjoying your summer break and time off, looking ahead to the fall and setting some professional goals can truly help you prepare for the future! Whether you are thinking about your next semester in high school or future college or career plans, it cannot hurt to think and plan ahead! Start your planning with goals for desired grades and how you plan to achieve those grades. Maybe this means finding a study group or making a promise to yourself to always ask your teachers for help when something is unclear! Study for the ACT or SAT or create a list of colleges you want to apply to in the future or possible careers! Start working on your college essay if it’s time to do so! Creating a LinkedIn profile or updating your resumé and creating a personal website can really help you feel more prepared and settled by the time you start using them! Perhaps your goals surround getting involved in extracurricular activities after school such as a sport or club? Or maybe you’re not sure yet? Journaling out your thoughts can be a great way to figure out what goals may be roaming around in your mind! Putting your goals from notion to paper may help you visualize and organize what you hope the next school year will look like!

Although staying motivated during the summer may get dragged out by the tide of summer break, it is key to prioritize sharpness and inspiration throughout every season! We hope these few tips encourage you to feel motivated and driven all summer long!