Tips for Summer School

Summer school doesn’t exactly have the best reputation. Plenty of students want summer to be all about summer, not school. That’s fair: summer is a good time to have time off.

But there are a few misconceptions out there about summer school that eclipse how beneficial—and enjoyable—it can really be for students looking to get ahead.

These myths include:

• Students need long breaks to rejuvenate
• Schools in the summerclose for good reason
• Summer school is only for students who are struggling to keep pace with their peers

 Clearing Up the Myths

Students need long breaks to rejuvenate

Students do need breaks to rejuvenate, but breaks that are too long can do damage to their academic skills and performance. When students attend summer school, they get a break between the end of the regular school year and the start of summer school and another break between the end of summer school and the start of the regular school year. This gives them the time they need off to enjoy themselves and rejuvenate without sacrificing their academic performance.

 School in the summer close for good reason

Summer schools used to close for two good reasons: (1) so that students could help out their parents on the farm and (2) because schools lacked air-conditioning. The first reason is obviously no longer relevant for most students and the second is sometimes relevant, sometimes not, depending on the institution. Plenty of students nowadays can attend air-conditioned summer schools. By taking grade 12 online courses in Ontario, they can study in the air-conditioned room of their choice.

Summer school is only for students who are struggling to keep pace with their peers

Summer school is for all students, including overachieving students who want to get even further ahead of their peers.

 Tips for Summer School

Taking classes over the course of the summer is different from taking classes over the course of the regular school year. So, to excel in summer school courses, students may need to change their approach to school.

 Adhere to a schedule

It’s not too difficult during the regular school year for secondary students to sync up their schedules with their peers, as everyone is working according to similar schedules. In the summer, by contrast, schedules change, and it can be difficult for a student to adhere to a productive study schedule when their friends are hanging out at the beach or staying out late (when they are not volunteering or working part or full-time jobs).

To excel in summer school, then, students need to be disciplined about adhering to a schedule that allows them enough time to study as well as enough time to enjoy quality time with friends.

 Form new study groups

Taking summer school courses either online or in person can be intimidating when you take them with students you have never met before. Keep in mind, however, that most if not all the other students in your classes are in the same boat.

You might have to get out of your comfort zone to form new connections and study groups, but your effort will likely pay off in the end and plus, you might make new friends!