10 Tips to Avoid the Summer Slide

While summer offers a reprieve from the busy school year schedule, it is also a time during which summer learning loss can occur. Learning loss occurs during breaks when students are not engaged in educational activities. Students who do not take advantage of learning opportunities in the summer may lose the benefit of one month of study and scholarship. Below are some easy-to-do tips to help avoid the summer slide.

1. Get in the habit of reading books and articles. Write about what you read as a test for comprehension.  Discuss what you read with a friend who shares your interests.
2. Play board games that involve critical thinking, Scrabble, Monopoly, Boggle, etc.
3.  Visit the library and get to know your CSU librarian.  Check out any new enhancements made in the summer.
4.  Make a summer visit to the campus. Come to the Mosaic House to pick up a copy of the fall calendar.  Sign up for Workshops that will help you learn and succeed.
5. Write out your goals for the remainder of summer and fall semester and put a time frame on them.
6. Engage in networking events, career fairs, community service, and volunteer programs. Make new friends.
7. Buy books and materials before classes start. 
8. Introduce yourself to professor and academic advisors via email before the first day.
9. Start going to bed at a decent time to get you back in the habit of waking up early.
10. Develop good physical and healthy habits to reduce stress.