With the exam season drawing to a close, thoughts for many students who have finished their GCSEs or A Levels will be turning to the Summer break. For what it’s worth, your maths and science tutors are going to be feeling much the same! Whilst it’s always the highlight of the academic year for many students, for those entering it on the back of weeks’ worth of exams, it will feel especially sweet.
However, the promise of 40 plus days of binge-watching Netflix, or endlessly scrolling through TikTok videos is going to do nothing for your academic prospects come September. We know you don’t want to hear it, but it makes good sense to have a plan (even if it’s a vague one scribbled on Post It Notes) of how to spend the next few weeks.
Here are some of our online tutors’ top tips on how to make the most of your summer break whilst standing yourself in good stead for the return to school or college.
The first week of your summer break should definitely include some opportunities for relaxation. Whether that’s hanging out with friends, going to end of year parties, or visiting family, make the most of the time you have off.
This period where one part of your education is over and done with, and the next has not yet begun is a golden opportunity to kick back. There’s no more revision to be done, no immediate pressures on what you have to do next, and no private maths tuition to log on for – make the most of it.
Rest and relaxation are vitally important if you want to avoid feeling burnt out and overwhelmed.
Whilst it is important to recharge your batteries, in whichever way appeals most to you, it’s also important you don’t take your foot off the pedal for too long. The longer you do nothing for, the harder it becomes to motivate yourself to do anything again.
This is precisely why we suggest getting into the mindset of being active during part of your break. That activity can be anything you want, but it’s important to start thinking about setting up a routine, so your days don’t all meld into one. The last thing you want is to look back on this period and realise you didn’t actually do anything with it.
Why not spend time looking for work, if you haven’t already got something lined up? Alternatively, it might be worth looking for some volunteering opportunities. Not only are these great ways to keep you busy and provide you with a sense of purpose, but whatever you do will give you ample opportunity to develop additional skills that will look great on your developing CV.
If you were benefiting from the support of a chemistry GCSE tutor, biology tutor or any other subject tutor for that matter, then why not ask them for some advice on which areas of volunteer service or work experience would best suit you? They may be able to make some recommendations for work that would benefit you based on your future career aspirations.
With the pressures of revision and exams, there’s every chance your own health and physical wellbeing has taken a bit of a battering over the last few months. Use the summer break as a chance to put things right and initiate a new exercise regime.
Whether it’s a simple walk along the seafront, a jog in the woods, or a cycle around your local park, there are so many different options available that don’t need to cost a fortune, or don’t require a lot of dedication to achieve.
Getting into a good routine with an activity you enjoy will also stand you in good stead for the coming months when you are back at college or university. It will give you an area of focus, outside of your study, and provide you with a way to find common ground with your fellow students.
There are so many wonderful social and sporting groups at universities, why not start investigating which clubs might appeal to you when you start in September/October? Freshers Fairs will give you all the information you need, but it doesn’t hurt to go in a little prepared.
Failed test. Teenage guy consoling friend over bad exam result outdoors
Whilst you might want a break from studying, the benefit of this education is that it has immediate and delicious tasting results.
Learning to cook is a skill we all need, especially if you are about to leave the nest for the first time and find yourself responsible for your own meals. This is also a great opportunity to bond with family members who will love to share family favourite recipes with you that you can recreate in student halls come the start of the new academic year.
Whether you’ve just finished your GCSEs or your A Levels, now is a perfect opportunity to get more organised for the challenges of the next period of your academic career. Whilst you will no doubt find some of your old textbooks useful, there will be some that are no longer relevant to you.
Take the time to organise and sort out your file notes. You may even consider turning them into teaching notes if you wanted to investigate offering tutoring online yourself to earn some extra money whilst at university. Why not speak to your physics tutor, online chemistry tutor or any other tutor who has been supporting you for advice on this?
As well as clearing out your old notes and books, it’s important you take the time to list everything you’re going to need for the future. If you have suggested or essential reading lists, make sure you have all the books you require, and make notes of anything else that is going to be useful.
If you’re heading off to university, make lists of the things you’re going to want to pack to take with you, as well as items you’ll need to purchase for your new accommodation. Don’t leave it to the last minute, as you will inevitably forget something, and then find yourself rushing to complete your packing on time.
However you plan to spend your summer holiday, we hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy the change in pace before you start your next educational adventure. Remember, the team at Tutorspot are always on hand to assist with all your online tutoring needs – whether you’re looking for some support for GCSE or A Level resits, or you’re looking for a Further Maths tutor to prepare you for the new term.
