All students look forward to the holidays, and not because of the gifts! For high school teens, the time off is a much-needed opportunity to relax and unwind. However, too much time off from schoolwork has the opposite effect than intended: with final exams just around the corner, too much downtime can make transitioning back into learning mode challenging and even anxiety-inducing.
Blending the holiday break with sufficient mental activity (aka, schoolwork) allows teens a chance to relax and unwind but still stay on track.
Whether in elementary, middle, or high school, the holiday tips can help students of all ages stay mentally engaged over the break and ready for success in the new year.
Balance is the Key!
Relaxing over the holiday break shouldn’t mean a complete departure from regular routines! Rather than endless days of screen time, movement, creativity and unique experiences can ensure the holiday break is relaxing, memorable, and productive.
Recharge and stay active with these ideas:
- A holiday walk to see the lights and enjoy each other’s company
- A visit to the local ice rink or sledding hill
- Fun snow-based activities, such as building a snowman
- Festive fun such as creating holiday cards, making a wreath, or carolling
- Skiing or hiking
- Cozy indoor games such as board games or card games
Making mental activities enjoyable helps keep engagement high and students on track.
Holiday Tips for Every Age
Early Elementary Students
Let their imagination shine! Young learners excel at weaving moments of learning throughout their day. Try activities that combine reading, writing and play, such as:
- Daily reading activities and discussions
- Playing games that build memory and focus
- Creating a family holiday scrapbook featuring drawings and storytelling
The main goal for young students is to keep building their skills over the break while keeping them curious and engaged.
Middle School Students
Balancing structured activity with independence is key for this age group. Try these holiday tip ideas:
- Use a calendar or day planner to stay on track
- Make a holiday scrapbook–can be digital and shared
- Introduce new activities or hobbies
- Focus on pleasure reading, but keep it low-pressure
The main goal for this age group is to focus on writing, reading, and organization.
Junior High Students
Any school work assigned over the break doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Break up assignments into small chunks to work on each day to stay on track. Other ideas include:
- Using a calendar or planner to manage activities and holiday tasks
- Finding an educational program to enjoy together, such as a documentary or a nature program
- Going to the library to do research
- Playing strategy games such as Catan or Risk
Planning an activity for the family
Practicing key school skills, such as planning, organization, study skills, and critical thinking, with a low-pressure approach over the break can keep students on track.
High School Students
For any student on a semester system, finals are just around the corner, making the holiday break a crucial time to maintain study habits. But, it doesn’t have to be a high-pressure time! One to two hours a day can keep teens on track over the break.
Try this simple approach:
- Conduct a brief daily review by dividing each subject into manageable daily review units.
- Use a planner, calendar, or agenda each day to manage time and track progress.
- Maintain regular routines such as bedtimes and morning schedules so that returning to class is not a shock.
Tacking small projects prevents procrastination, cramming and reduces stress over the holiday break.
A Break Doesn’t Mean Abandoning Habits!
Losing school momentum and letting habits slip can happen quickly, and in a short amount of time. Losing school momentum and letting habits slip can happen quickly; a few days is all it takes! But staying on track doesn’t mean hours of work: small, daily habits over the break can keep students of all ages on track academically and ready to start January off on the right foot!
Start the New Year Strong with GradePower Learning!
A new year is the perfect time to begin a tutoring program and give your child a fresh start. Our customized program helps students of all ages develop stronger academic skills, improve their study habits, and increase their learning confidence for the year ahead.
Ready to enroll? Find a location near you today!
