Back to School: Overcoming Summer Slump
As summer comes to a close, the transition from relaxed, reduced responsibilities to structured schedules and academics can be difficult. It is important for every family member, from parents returning to work after a vacation to students prepping for the new school year, to feel confident and ready for their shift in priorities. We would like to help by sharing strategies to overcome summer slump, ease this transition, and set yourself and your family up for success.
What is the summer slump?
The summer slump, also known as the summer slide, originally referred to a decline in academic abilities over the summer months, such as reading levels and mathematics. On average, studies have found that students’ scores decrease by one month’s worth of learning from the school year. This decline has also been shown to increase with grade level. This can also create a snowball effect for students in the fall, as they experience a loss of these skills every year.
The summer slump affects not only children but also adults. Many adults feel unproductive towards the end of the summer. In fact, productivity drops by 20% during the summer due to fun distractions like vacations, Summer Fridays, and spending more time outside in the nice weather. Similar to the back-to-school blues from childhood, your mind resists unfamiliar restrictions. As fall approaches, with often a busier schedule, children going back to school, and shorter days, the change can create feelings of anxiety and restlessness. This feeling may be especially strong for parents who have to overcome the summer slump themselves while helping their children do the same.
Tools to help
Sleep
Summer’s relaxed schedule and later bedtimes can make it hard for people to get back into school and work routines once fall begins. To make the transition smoother, start gradually shifting bedtime and wake-up times 1-2 weeks before fall, adjusting by 15-30 minutes every few days. To help regulate circadian rhythms, try to make a consistent evening routine, reduce screen time before bed, and promote outdoor morning activities. Starting early with small adjustments will help to avoid stress and fatigue when fall begins.
Routines
Humans flourish when they engage in decision-making and do not have to worry about uncertainty. Daily routines create positive habits and ease transitions, such as starting a new school year. Practicing routines such as waking up at a specific time, getting dressed, and packing in advance helps identify issues early and reduces morning chaos. Tools like visual checklists for children and multiple alarms for adults can help to reduce rushing and lead to a smoother morning.
Talk with friends
Knowing you can rely on friends helps to ease any seasonal transition, especially for young children. For parents, it can be beneficial to coordinate with other parents to see if your child will share classes and afterschool activities. For working adults, reaching out to coworkers and planning to socialize out of the office can make the days more exciting and create something to look forward to.
Balance
Parents often rush to enroll children in many extracurricular activities, but overloading their schedules can lead to exhaustion and stress. Kids need unstructured time to relax, play, and spend time with family. Adults also need balance through enjoyable activities like hobbies, social gatherings, and downtime to prevent burnout. One can also achieve this by leaving space for spontaneity. Schedule unplanned time each week to preserve some of the summer spirit!
Conclusion
The end-of-summer slump doesn’t have to define your fall. Understanding why it happens, changing your patterns, and building a structure that fits your rhythm can help. Back-to-school and back-to-work success is not about perfect performance, but helping you and your children feel safe, rested, and confident.
