Techniques to keep your grades in check over the summer break

For most UK schools the summer holidays will begin in the last week of July - Monday 24th of July being the date most schools break up, with many private schools beginning their holidays the preceding week. When I recall my own school days I can remember the approach of the holidays as a time of great excitement. Six weeks off was something that could hardly be contemplated - so much freedom, good weather, and perhaps a trip abroad. There were good times ahead - it was just necessary to get through the final days of the term of course!

There is however growing concern that many students` academic abilities may actually decline over the long break. In a phenomenon colloquially known as `summer learning loss`, `summer setback` or `summer slide,` students have been known to lose as much as a month`s worth of school learning (Review of Educational Research 2009) over the long break

It appears the decline in ability affects mathematics more than reading, the detrimental effects being greater amongst students in the upper year groups. While there appeared to be no gender based fall over the summer, there was an income based decline, with children of lower income families experiencing the greatest loss in reading ability.

What can be done then, to ensure that at the end of the summer break students are just as sharp and academically confident as they were at the beginning of the holidays? The following is list of ideas for students to keep their brains active over the break:

1. Study up on any holiday destinations

If you are going on holiday make a point to do a bit of research on the place you are visiting. The internet will certainly possess a wealth of information about your destination, especially if it is a major city. What is it`s population? How does it`s average rainfall and temperature compare to where you live. What is the history of the area. By looking into these things in advance of your visit you will end up noticing details you might otherwise have missed - a statue of a historical figure you read about, or a historical fort that played a part in a conflict.

2. Go over your notes

Looking at the past year`s schoolwork may well be the last thing you want to do during the summer break, but if you just spend as little as an hour or so a week, you will ensure that your mind retains the information of the previous academic year. Your mind is very much like a muscle - you have spent three terms exercising it, amassing knowledge and studying new concepts. If you don`t work to keep it in shape it you will begin to forget what you have learnt.

3. Complete a summer project

With all that free time ahead of you, why not embark upon some kind of project? You could build a website, or even try your hand at writing a novel. Perhaps scientific experiments are more to your taste - by looking online and consulting an adult you could find safe household products that can be combined for a controlled reaction (for example vinegar and bicarbonate of soda), and learn about the chemical processes taking place. You could also complete an art project, such as painting, drawing, or even sculpture

4. Read lots of books

If you are an avid reader anyway you shouldn`t need this prompting! But with all the free time you now have why not try branching out a little from your usual genres? Pick up a book by that forbidding and difficult author you have always evaded, or choose a novel written by someone you have never heard of before. If you don`t particularly enjoy reading novels try a book that covers a hobby or interest of yours. You could read a about a director whose films you like, or the biography of a sports person you admire. You should also make an attempt to look over your text books from the previous year, or if you are feeling particularly ambitious, study up on some of the topics you know will be covered when you return to school.