Well, if you asked my teenager for reasons why you should consider summer school, this article would be over already. (Ha, ha) When I was younger, my favorite part of summer vacation was sleeping in. Wait, who am I kidding? It’s still my favorite part! Although I am happy for my children to have lazy summer mornings (afternoons honestly), I do notice that their ability to have quality sleep and think at their highest level is almost nonexistent.
Studies show that there is a direct correlation between higher quality, longer duration, and greater consistency of sleep as well as better grades when students stay in learning programs over the summer.
However, some students can experience learning losses over the summer, a.k.a. the “summer brain drain,” like my kids, if they are not kept stimulated. Taking summer courses is an excellent way to avoid these seasonal setbacks and stay mentally stimulated.
Here are a few beneficial reasons to consider before making your final decision:
- Maintain the previous year’s learning momentum, allowing students to keep sharp and improve their knowledge base.
- Gives students opportunities to make up for any unfinished coursework during the previous school year, which in turn, helps to reduce stress and improve their overall academic record.
- Improves academic performance for the following year, as students who take summer courses often show an increase in their GPA.
- Provide students who might be struggling for one reason or another with the extra academic support they need in order to keep up with their peers.
- Allows students looking to challenge themselves with more advanced courses or opportunities to explore new subjects more deeply.
- Earn college credit. Many summer programs offer college-level classes that can be taken for credit.
- Gain leadership skills and learn essential life skills. Many summer programs offer leadership opportunities and activities to help students develop these vital skills and as the kids would say “life hacks”.
- Opportunity to gain real-world experience as many summer programs offer internships and work experience that can help students stand out in the job market.
- Summer school can help students to build relationships with peers and mentors. Summer school can be a great way to meet other students with similar interests and goals.
- A much-needed break from the regular school routine, providing students with a different learning experience and helping to keep them motivated and engaged in the learning process.
- Summer school also helps to keep a consistent routine, and as we know, humans do much better with routines in place.
Psychology of daily routine
Having and keeping a daily routine has far-reaching mental health benefits, from alleviating bipolar disorder and preventing substance abuse to managing the symptoms of other mental disorders.
Establishing a daily routine helps to reduce stress and anxiety, create healthy habits, improve productivity and focus, improve interpersonal relationships, improve mental health, increase motivation and discipline, reduce procrastination, boost self-esteem, increase satisfaction with life, and improve sleep quality.
A daily routine can provide structure and predictability to your day, helping to keep you motivated and focused on the task at hand. It can also help to ensure that you are taking time for yourself as well as for your family and friends.
Having a set routine can help reduce procrastination and create a sense of urgency and accountability for the tasks you have set for yourself. In addition, having a daily routine can help to boost self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose and productivity. It can also help to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and help you to fall asleep faster.
Why are routines important for children with ADHD?
Having a routine is especially important for children with ADHD as it helps to make daily functioning more manageable. Routines help children focus on one thing at a time, which can be particularly challenging for children with ADHD. This is because they tend to struggle with their ability to regulate themselves and their focus when so many distractions pull them in different directions.
A regular routine can help to minimize distractions by providing a sense of structure and predictability for the day. It can also help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress caused by the unpredictability of the day. Furthermore, routines can help to create healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising. This can help to improve their overall physical and mental health.
Routines can also help to improve productivity and focus. When children have a daily routine, it helps keep them motivated and focused on the task at hand and improves their academic performance and overall grades.
Routines can also help children to build relationships with peers and mentors. Having a regular daily routine can help to ensure that children are taking time for themselves as well as for their family and friends. This can help to strengthen interpersonal relationships.
Routines can also help provide children with a break from the normal school routine. Summer school can provide children with a different learning experience and help to keep them motivated and engaged in the learning process.
Having and keeping a daily routine has many benefits for children with ADHD. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, create healthy habits, improve productivity and focus, improve interpersonal relationships, improve mental health, increase motivation and discipline, reduce procrastination, boost self-esteem, increase satisfaction with life, and improve sleep quality.
Adults with ADHD may find it challenging too to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. In addition, the inability to control impulses can range from impatience in waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger. Taking summer enrichment courses are a way to keep on task and in a routine for adults as well.
Why do people with ADHD struggle with routines?
People with ADHD often struggle to stick to routines because of irregular dopamine levels. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for reward, mood, and motivation. An imbalance can make it difficult for individuals with ADHD to feel motivated or rewarded by completing tasks. This can make it hard to stay on track with regular daily routines.
If you or someone you love has ADHD, seeking treatment is essential. ADHD can profoundly impact every aspect of life and, if left untreated, can lead to a host of negative consequences.
Relationships may suffer, as ADHD can make it difficult to communicate effectively and relate to others. You may also experience anxiety and depression due to the challenges posed by ADHD. In addition, you may struggle to succeed in school or hold down a job.
Don’t wait to get the help you need — seek professional treatment for ADHD immediately.
Reasons why you should consider summer school
Summer school is an excellent idea for people with ADHD as well as those without it. Taking summer courses is a fantastic way to avoid seasonal setbacks like brain drain and stay mentally stimulated. Remember to add plenty of sunshine after school to your routine as well!