Worried About Being On Track This Fall? Here's What To Do This Summer

When school gets out in May or June, it’s exciting to have time off from homework, studying, and test prep. But, without all those deadlines to keep students in check, it can be easy to lose momentum when the new school year rolls around. Keeping your brain engaged over the summer, even in small ways, can make a big difference in your academic performance in the fall!

This year, especially, with the nation concerned about academic progress due to COVID-19, school building closures, and the shift to virtual learning, the effort students put in outside of the classroom is even more important!

Read

Reading for fun is a great way to work on your reading comprehension and vocabulary skills without having to worry about searching for themes and symbols to jot down for a class discussion. Pick out some books that interest you to read throughout the summer that you might not have time to read during the year. As most of your English classes require heavier books like classic literature or Shakespeare, try a more recent contemporary book, Young Adult novel, or a piece of lighter nonfiction on a topic that piques your curiosity. Not only will you continue learning over the summer, you may also open a door to a newfound love and appreciation for reading! 

Get a Private Tutor

Struggling with certain subjects and want to get ahead? Having a tutor over the summer can allow for growth in challenging areas without the stresses of class and overdue essays looming in the background. Consider the classes you’re taking in the fall, and see if there’s a class in which a little extra help ahead of time wouldn’t hurt. A head start like this could potentially take a C algebra student to an A algebra student! 

SAT/ACT/AP Test Prep

It’s never too soon to begin preparing for standardized tests. It’s crucial to do well on these if getting into a selective college is on your agenda. Start getting prep books and materials and begin working through them a few times a week over the summer. This way, when other students are looking to figure out how to get ready for the SAT, you’re already prepared. The same thing goes for the ACT, or if you’re shooting for a 5 on the AP Psychology test. Extra studying never hurts anyone!

Work on Foreign Language Skills

A lot of high school students are required to take a foreign language. If you’re already a pro in Spanish, you can keep it up by continuing to practice with an online app, or on your own. If you’re going into your first year of French and are worried you won’t have a good grip on verb conjugations, learning a little over the summer either online or with a tutor can help prepare you for what’s to come, and hopefully calm some nerves before you set foot into the world of a second language. 

Summer Classes

If you’re looking to stay in school, there’s tons of ways to take additional classes over the summer. Whether it’s something just for fun, or a way to get college credit as a high schooler, there’s something for everyone. Check out your local community college for information on classes or dual enrollment, and see if it's a good fit. You may even be able to get your associate's degree and your high school diploma at the same time!

While it can be a great idea to keep up with academics during the summer, it's also important to take time to relax and recuperate from all the hard work you accomplished during the school year. If you’re taking Intro to Physics at the community college or digging into an ACT test prep booklet, be sure to take a break every now and then and enjoy your time off!

Want individualized advice? Get in touch to learn how Revolution Tutors can help keep you on track during COVID-19.