If there were such things that students await ever since the start of their school year, it would be correct to assume that summer vacation takes up a greater part in that. For some, summer vacation can be a valuable time to spend time with their family, committing to some leisures, and washing away all the stress accumulated throughout the first part of the school year. For others, it might be an opportunity to work the school materials in advance to reduce the anticipated workload. This piece of writing outlines key strategies to effectively and productively spend vacation to enjoy the beauty of life, as well as managing daily routines to foster an unwavering lifestyle that acts as a foundation for successful school life.

Attitude

Holidays that are long enough to build an upright attitude, such as summer vacation, can significantly determine the rest of one’s student life. In order to feel a sense of accomplishment and a belief that not everything was wasted, it is essential that students do something to better themselves.

1. Start a routine, even if it’s a minute activity, that can be fulfilled every single day without negotiation.

A sense of progress is usually attained from consistency. Doing something every single day helps build a sense of structure and orientation in life, a consistent routine helps students maintain structure and avoid feeling aimless during long breaks. Writing diaries, work-out journals, or early rise are all valid. It takes roughly 66 days to integrate an activity into a routine (PMC, 2019). Of course, it is universal that the initial fervor and enthusiasm fade away after some time, but the sense of attainment comes from the things that seem tedious and monotonous. 

1. Preview and review. Although it is important to use one’s vacation to relieve stress, students shouldn’t forget their role as ‘students’: people who study. Every age group has different roles, and it is expected for students to learn and repeat. Especially for highschoolers, previewing the materials beforehand is a huge advantage in busy school life, not to mention the value of reviewing. Long vacations like summer vacation accelerate forgetting according to the Ebbinghaus curve; hence, daily or weekly reviews and previews can prevent this (Chartered College of Teaching, 2019). Granted, reviewing materials that were already discussed in school is an effective way to transfer them to long-term memory.
2. Don’t waste time; one of the most critical factors that negatively affect student life is the ‘art of procrastination’.

It is best defined as the ‘art’ because every single student has their own diverse ways to inefficiently spend their time. Procrastination decelerates progress and plummets self-esteem.

Concession

Vacation translates to an extended period of leisure and recreation. Certainly, doing what one feels like doing is allowed, contradictorily. However, it is important to remind oneself that in order to stop and smell the roses, constant juxtaposition and fluctuation should exist. If every day was surfing on the beach and chatting with friends, then those grateful moments won’t be special anymore. Here’s to an unforgettable summer; make it count and make it lasting.

Sources: 

Arlinghaus, Katherine R, and Craig A Johnston. “The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine.” American journal of lifestyle medicine vol. 13,2 142-144. 29 Dec. 2018, doi:10.1177/1559827618818044 Accessed 30 Nov, 2025

Nobres, Rebecca. “The importance of regular review for long-term learning.” Chartered College of Teaching, 12 Sept. 2019, my.chartered.college/impact_article/the-importance-of-regular-review-for-long-term-learning/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.