Stay Sharp: 5 Reasons to Add Academics to Your Summer Plans
It’s the first day of school and your student is sitting in math class feeling totally lost. He knows he learned this material last year, but he hasn’t practiced it in months, and the teacher’s brief review lesson isn’t enough to jog his memory. Nonetheless, the teacher moves on to the next lesson, and just like that, he’s behind. If this sounds like your student’s typical first day of school, you are not alone!
The conventional school calendar does not set students up for academic success. Many students spend hours and hours studying during the school year to ensure their understanding of classroom material. Subsequently, they celebrate the completion of that hard work during the summer by not ever seeing it again… until their first day back at school. Why let all of that time and knowledge go to waste? Here at Sage, we offer a variety of summer enrichment classes as well as one-on-one sessions to not only keep your student on track but also to help his or her knowledge grow with a fun approach that we tailor specifically to your student’s needs.
We’re not saying summer should be all work and no play. Phil Auckland, a cell biologist by day and mountain-bike racer by night, makes sure to find time away from the lab and on the race track. This is because according to Judy Willis, neurologist and full-time teacher, breaks from school allow newly learned information “the opportunity to move from working memory to relational memory.” In other words, breaks from the classroom are necessary for helping the brain with long-term memorization. With both work and play being important parts of the learning process, it is important to find the right balance between the two.
Here are five reasons why students should add academics to their summer to-do list:
1. The Domino Effect. Researchers of the RAND Corporation found that “Summer learning loss is cumulative.” If students come back to school with “summer brain,” they are likely to fall behind and stay behind their peers who regularly practiced academics in the summer.
2. Academics are a Competitive Climate. Whether students are trying to get into private high schools or the college of their dreams, it is imperative to stand out amongst the competition. Reviewing academics over summer can help them stay ahead and set them apart from other classmates.
3. Summer Enrichment is a Catalyst to Lifelong Work Habits. Although summer academics may not sound like the most exciting summer plans, they can offer lifelong benefits. The Model United Nations Institute states that attending summer programs allows students to “gain the skills and experiences that colleges and employers consistently look for in applicants.” By going the extra mile, students who practice summer academics begin to solidify eventual deep-rooted work ethic through their admirable discipline and commitment to success.
4. The Opportunity to Learn According to Individual Student’s Needs. In a classroom setting, it can be easy to get stuck in the mundane routine of jotting down notes while teachers read slides off a PowerPoint. One of the fun things about practicing academics in the summer is the ability to practice material in the way that best suits each individual student. Depending on what method best suits the student, certain classroom limitations are lifted. For example, students have the option to practice outdoors, discuss topics with friends, and receive direct help from tutors, all of which can make the learning experience more specialized and fun!
5. Boost Self-Confidence. By setting and achieving academic summer goals for themselves, students will return to school with remarkable confidence. This smooth transition from summer to school will show students that if they make the effort, their true potential can be reached. Experimental psychologist Alexander Spradlin states that “the more you believe that you are capable, the more you will be.” That is to say, if students believe that they can make scholastic improvements, those efforts will yield positive results, and those results will produce fearless self-assured learners.
Engaging your student’s mind over summer is the best way to ensure previous years’ material is retained while keeping confidence and preparedness for the year ahead intact. Sage Educators’ summer enrichment workshops are brief but dynamic, ranging from a few days to weeks. Our students walk away fulfilled and can take pride in having dedicated time to their own success over summer, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the remainder of the break, outside of academics.
Sage enrichment workshops offer students of all ages an academic head start and include bridge classes in math and writing, study tips and organization, boot camps for the SAT, ACT, and the SSAT, as well as dynamic college prep workshops.
Whether one-on-one or small group, we pride ourselves on our customized approach and our accomplished tutors can help you set and meet your unique summer goals.
To get started, explore our summer enrichment workshops here!
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