Ever heard of something called “the summer slide?” No, it’s not a water park joke; in fact, summer slide is a serious matter for many of our most at-risk students.

As we head into the final days of the school year, many students will find themselves without anyone positioned to take-over as the primary teacher in their life. Fortunately, we’ve got a few helpful tips to provide guidance to students, as well as parents looking to help their children succeed.

What is “The Summer Slide?”

The summer slide describes a tendency among students to lose some of the achievement gains of the previous school year during the long summer break.

Why does this happen? Well, during the school year, students learn through a combination of immersion and repetition. They go to class and are saturated with information on a single subject, then show up again and again to reinforce this information. Each lesson teaches new information, while building on and cementing the previous lesson in the student’s mind…but the process is suddenly cut off when summer arrives.

This can affect all kids, but tends to have the biggest impact on those coming from lower-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. There are a few reasons for that:

  • Parents often work more and at irregular hours, so less opportunity to interact.
  • Family tends to have less-educated background.
  • Less access to resources like private tutors, summer programs, or materials.
  • Fewer books in the house compared to more affluent homes.
  • Students may be forced to work more to support family members.

As the summer slide sets in, students lose more and more of the material they learn in class, which puts them at a disadvantage when school starts again in the fall. The cycle repeats as students fall further and further behind. That’s why you want to do everything you can to avoid the summer slide.

To help, we’ve pulled together a list of our top 12 recommendations for ways students can stay engaged and learning even while school’s out:

#1. Look into Summer Classes or Online Courses

Many community colleges and even state universities allow high schoolers to enroll in college classes during the summer. This can allow you to save time and money, as well as open-up other opportunities in college you might not have enjoyed otherwise.

Of course, these programs aren’t free; you’ll likely need to pay for them. This can vary anywhere from relatively affordable at a community college to very pricey in a residential program. Check out this complete guide for more information on the subject.

#2. Gain a New Skill

Try and think of a specific skillset that you’ve always wanted to learn. What about learning to cook, or to defend yourself with martial arts? Or, maybe gardening is more your speed?

These are just three of the hundreds of valuable skillsets that can help you tremendously as an adult…and they’re great opportunities to keep your mind sharp during the break.

#3. Study for the SAT/ACT

If you’re a college-bound student, you’re probably already familiar with these two tests.

Most colleges still require students to have taken the SAT or ACT prior to application to get into school. They’re high-pressure exams, so the more a student can do to prepare, the better. There are plenty of books available with tips, strategies, and sample questions, but a lot of SAT prep work is also available for free online.

#4. Learn to Speak a New Language

This has lots of perks. Not only is it great exercise for your brain, but learning to speak a new language enables you to communicate with new people. You can empathize with people easier as a result, and learn to gain new perspectives on the world.

The Duolingo appl allows you to learn a variety of different languages through simple puzzles and matching games…all for free. Check it out and see if it’s right for you.

#5. Learn to Code

Learning a programming language sounds daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. You may discover you have a knack for it, which could open an incredible variety of opportunities for you later in life. Plus, learning to code is something you can do for free in your spare time.

Where to start, though? Check out this guide to help you pick out a language based on your interests and learn how to get the ball polling.

#6. Explore Your Creative Side

Would you consider yourself an artist? If not…have you thought about it before? The summer could be a great opportunity to try your hand at a new creative project. For example, you could pick up a new musical instrument, or get a cheap set of paints and a pad of canvas to see how you feel about painting. If that’s not your thing, you could simply sit-down with your computer or a notebook and try writing.

#7. Apply for an Internship

An internship, whether paid or unpaid, can be a massive asset in lots of professional careers. Not only will you have in-demand experience, you’ll also have connections with people who will help you advance later. This can be especially valuable if you plan to go the entrepreneurial route, as you can get a head start on building a network that will help you launch your ideas.

#8. Be a Tutor

Tutoring other students as a summer job offers a two-fold benefit: not only are you making a little extra cash for yourself, you’re also engaging yourself mentally. You’re helping teach and reinforce information in your fellow students’ minds, but you’re also reinforcing it in your own mind at the same time. Of course, you’ll need to find clients without posting your contact information publicly. Make sure you create a plan and recruit safely.

#9. Tour Colleges

Are you still an underclassman, but already planning for college after graduation? Then the summer could be a perfect time to tour college campuses.

Going on a campus tour lets you get a feel for the school’s character and campus culture, which is very important if you’re going away for school. Otherwise, you could realize you’ve made a mistake once it’s too late to transfer.

#10. Travel to a New Place

Travel, in general, offers opportunities to expand your horizons and learn about new places. However, you can double the benefit if you make educational or historical significance a priority.

Some popular options include historical towns like Williamsburg in Virginia and St. Augustine, Florida, or natural destinations like Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park. Plus, traveling outside the US can be a very eye-opening experience if you have the luxury. You can learn more about other cultures and people…as well as yourself in the process.

#11. Brainstorm College Essays & Applications

Your application may not be due for several months, but you can get a head-start on it now. Many of the top colleges will require an essay asking you to explain why you should be admitted; with stakes this high, you could use a little extra time to perfect your paper and present the best case possible.

#12. Skills-Based Volunteering

Even if you don’t land an internship, there are volunteer opportunities out there that will help you gain experience and contacts in hundreds of skilled professions. For example, if you’re aspiring to be a doctor, you might choose to volunteer at a local hospital or clinic. Want to go into law or politics? Maybe there are some opening as a staffer for your local representative.

You want to choose a way to spend your time that will be meaningful, but which will also help you acquire and refine the skills you’ll use later in life.