Summer is the most majestic season of all, if tomorrow one were to take a vote on it, summer would win by a land slide or should I say ‘sand slide’. But what we don’t realize is that during our break from school many of us turn away from our academics completely for the entire summer. This can become a serious issue for many of us. After a studious school year many hope to throw their backpacks in the closet and run off to enjoy the summer, the last thing on any students mind in the thought of studying or reviewing for the following school year. Although with some exceptions, a portion of students that attend summer classes are kept busy with greater aspirations.
Summer learning loss can affect students of all grades levels and ages, although the loss varies with each grade level. On average summer break accounts for a ONE MONTH of loss. The loss or retained information varies with each subject as well. Some of the more repetitive subjects such as math, algebra, statistics, which require frequent and often repetition are the subject that suffer the most. On average mathematics have a 2.6 month loss over the course of the summer break.
Now, I bet many of you have chills down your spine; the thought of having memory loss can frighten many of us. The truth is, the summer loss can easy be prevented and in many cases one can return to classes in the fall with an equal or greater base of knowledge. Here are a few helpful hints to keep your brain busy during the summer months. The best thing one could do is to focus on two KEY subjects, Mathematics and Literature. Odds are many friends and relatives have given you books as gifts thinking that you might get a good use out of them but unfortunately many of these books have ended up tossed in a bookshelf or beneath some dirty clothes in the closet. Now would be a good time to dust them off and crack one open. Creating a summer reading list can do you wonders. By simply typing and printing out a list of a few books or short stories that you would like to read, then posting that list on the back of your door or in the mirror, it will constantly remind and hopefully inspire you to check them off one at a time.
Next, how does someone study for mathematics without a math book? Working on equations on your own might seem hard, but thanks to the advancements in technology studying might be as easy as downloading a phone app. Why loose up worth of two months of your math skills when you can study a few math problems here and there, while waiting in line, sitting on the toilet, or during television commercials. The goal is to make it fun and entertaining, as long as you keep up with repetition your brain will thank you in the fall.
Jesus U. Escareno
College Blogger
MarathonBooks.net
