It might seem as though the summer break offers limitless time to do what we want and need to do. However, as we well know, the time will end up passing quickly. Some structure and focus can be helpful to our ability to use the time to our best advantage. Of course, summer comes with its own set of commitments, expectations, and responsibilities, so we need to find balance if we hope to have a successful break from the school year.
We can be tempted to pack the summer full of events, activities, learning, and preparation for fall. Yet, over-scheduling can prolong our recovery from the school year, distract us from using the break to our best advantage, and leave us low on energy and enthusiasm for the start of a new school year in a few months.
As we make the transition from finishing the school year and begin to focus on how best to spend the time we have over breaks, we would do well to prioritize our time and attention. Our priorities might include some items that help us to “tie off” our experiences from the year that just ended, consider how best to engage the summer, and do some preliminary thinking and planning for next year. Here are six ideas we might consider putting into action to create some structure, form some focus, and preview what we would like to accomplish.
Catalog the best things that happened and your most significant accomplishments from the past year. You might relive some of the most uplifting and satisfying experiences from the past year, so consider making some notes to capture reflections and record your insights. If you kept a journal or made contemporaneous notes during the year, now is a good time to read and reflect on your thoughts and observations. Be sure to forgive yourself and others for what may not have gone as you planned and expected.
Make a list of what drew your interest and attention during the year. You might have heard about or encountered some new strategies to research, new tools to secure and learn to use, or you may have been stymied by reoccurring challenges you want to understand and overcome. Unfortunately, the pressure and pace of the school year can make focused exploration and development of new skills difficult to accomplish. The summer might be a good time to delve into these areas of interest and possibility.
Make a “soft” outline of what you would like to improve next year. Deciding to take some action and tackle a challenge can stimulate your thinking and draw your attention to information and opportunities that support your intentions. Your list might include strategies, units, or lesson designs you would like to develop. You might want to gain some insights and strategies for classroom management. Or your interests might lie elsewhere! What is important is to identify what you are looking for because when you do, you are more likely to find it.
Make an initial list of what you would like to learn, accomplish, polish, or produce during the summer. This task may require some discipline and a reality check. After all, you can only do so much. However, giving some thought and having a list can help you focus and prioritize available time, and it can assist you in scheduling potential learning and practice opportunities before the summer slips away.
Take time for some casual, informal collaboration. The coming weeks can offer opportunities to meet with a colleague, mentor, or coach to explore ideas, share observations, and exchange insights without the pressure of immediate action or application. Exploratory conversations, what-if ruminations, and “how might _____” exchanges can surface new ideas, open new paths, and suggest opportunities to pursue this summer and beyond.
Make a commitment to unplugging from constant work-related communication and tasks. Occasionally checking your email can help you avoid missing important communication, but hourly or daily checking and responding can unnecessarily drain energy and undermine your efforts to recharge and refresh your energy and spirit. The summer can also be a time to experiment with setting boundaries and developing strategies you can use during the school year to maintain a sustainable balance between your work and personal life.
Obviously, some of these steps may be more relevant to your life than others. You may also have ideas for additional or alternative actions to make your summer the best it can be. Now is the time to put your thoughts into action.
