How to Stay Sharp During Your Summer Break

Top tips for college students to keep up even as they power down

We certainly don’t want to take away the reward of summer break with talk about—of all things!—coursework, but even the best college student can experience a bout of the “summer slide” or “summer slump.”

The good news: It’s not contagious and easily remedied. The bad news: If it’s not addressed, it can affect how quickly you get up to speed when you return to campus.

This lull in academic action, coupled with a lack of a structured environment for learning, can slow forward momentum, create a knowledge lapse or make classroom re-entry a bit choppy.

We know you want a well-deserved break after all those assignments, projects, exams, essays, labs and study sessions—and we want you to have one, too. So, we’ve gathered some tips that will keep your mind sharp, your study habits in top form and your ability to have fun during your summer break intact.

Learn more about Sacred Heart’s Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL), which provides free, individualized academic support for all SHU undergraduate and graduate students. Throughout the year, including the summer, peer and professional tutors are available to help with classwork, writing assignments and study reviews.

How to stay sharp during your summer break

Here are seven tips to keep you on track, motivated and ready to jump back into your studies when school starts:

1. Catch up on summer reading

Summer is an excellent time to pick up a book that covers your area of study or a concept that is integral to your field. “Reading is an excellent idea, and reading books related to your major or intended profession is key,” said Lisa Henderson, assistant director of tutoring & writing support for Sacred Heart University’s Center for Teaching & Learning. “I also encourage students to journal and write down their thoughts and reflections about what they are reading.”

2. Give your notes more than a passing glance

Treat last school year’s class notes like an old friend. From time to time, check in and pay them some attention. Reviewing your work in small, consistent doses, at regular intervals, can help you to retain information and more easily move that material from short-term to long-term memory.

Henderson said revisiting notes keeps course material fresh, noting that CTL peer tutors use fun, nontraditional ways to review, such as NotebookLM, Google’s self-described “personalized AI research assistant.” This digital study guide offers many tools to help with a study review. For instance, material can be summarized and transformed into an audio discussion (akin to a simple podcast) led by two AI hosts.

CTL tutors are also available during the summer to help with academic review. “Tutors help students hit pause, take a step back and brush up on skills or review areas where they need some support—such as when they are moving to a higher-level course—and work on foundational skills.

“Students will reach out to us for help before classes start, and summer is the perfect time to do that,” she added. “It’s great when students jumpstart that learning.”

3. Get a jump on your career

“With a service such as LinkedIn Learning (which is free for all SHU students), you can learn a new skill to update your profile or your résumé,” Henderson said. While you are at it, make sure your professional profile is up to date and career goals are listed. (SHU’s Center for Career & Professional Development has many resources to help students with internships and postgraduate plans.)

Even if you don’t have an internship or job, you can gain skills and expertise. Henderson noted that volunteer opportunities, such as those offered through Sacred Heart’s community engagement program, are a smart way to engage in a topic or field about which you are passionate. These experiences may also provide career clarity for how you chart the rest of your collegiate path.

4. Explore new places

Whether you traipse through familiar locales or book a trip to a faraway place, the mere act of “getting away” can have a beneficial impact on your mental and emotional state. Maybe you schedule a “learning” vacation to develop new skills or plan a visit to a museum, cultural center or art gallery that piques your interest.

5. Power down

Turn off the phone, go for a walk, check out a movie, organize an impromptu picnic, attend an outdoor concert or show—take time to simply be and engage with your surroundings, friends and family. A recharge provides the energy and capacity to dive back into work once school begins.

6. Get organized

Was balancing coursework and projects difficult during the school year? Use your summer break to consider organizational and time management hacks that will save you time and ease academic challenges when you return to your studies.

7. Have fun

It’s OK to consider diversionary pastimes. Henderson noted that Matthew Carravone, former SHU student and current CTL professional tutor, works on LEGOs projects over the summer. “There’s actually research behind working with LEGOs,” Henderson added. “They get your creative juices going, but they also help with problem-solving skills.”

Carravone also uses fun, educational apps, such as those for learning a language. Henderson said research shows that learning a new language can improve academic performance, especially in reading and math—and it offers other perks. “It can boost your job prospects and build deeper cultural understanding and connections.”

There are many ways to keep those academic fires burning even as you play it cool during the summer. At Sacred Heart, students are never far from resources that help them maintain their momentum and prepare for their return to school.