Raise your hand if you once wanted to have a productive summer, but by September, your list of unfinished goals was gathering dust on a shelf. We’ve all tried to have an amazing, productive summer but ended up wasting time instead. If you’re looking for a way to be able to actually achieve your goals or simply just find ways to spend your summertime in a fulfilling way, you've come to the right place.
Set Realistic Goals
The first step is to sit down and write down some goals that you want to achieve. It is of great importance to set achievable goals because there’s no point in setting goals then being too overwhelmed to accomplish them. It’s such a common tip, but countless of us struggle with it. So, here are two simple tips you should keep in mind.
Set specific goals
When writing your goals, make sure that they are specific, not generic.
Generic goal: I will exercise more often.
Specific goal: I will do a 10-minute workout every morning.
Remember to break your goals into smaller sections and steps. That way, you will be making it easier for yourself and lowering your chances of failure. For example, if your goal is to read two novels this summer, you will need to modify it slightly to something like reading a chapter a day. This strategy prevents procrastination by assigning you specific daily tasks that will eventually lead you to your goal.
Set Reasonable Deadlines
Next, you should set deadlines for the small tasks you need to do. Make sure that your deadlines are reasonable. Deadlines that are too close will cause you to rush and stress, while deadlines that are too far away may cause you to procrastinate. Remember, it can take six days for you to finish a task while someone else can complete it in three, so make sure that you set a deadline that is comfortable for you.
If you want to start a daily habit, you can schedule the task for a specific time of day. That way, you won’t miss it because you freed up some time for it.
Summer Ideas List
Are you wondering what you want to do in the summer? Here are some activities that you can spend your time on.
Volunteering
There’s plenty of virtual volunteering organizations you can participate in without leaving your house! Try supporting a worthy cause, and you can even ask your friends to join you so you can have fun. If you’re not sure where to look, https://www.volunteertoronto.ca/networking/opening_search.asp is a good starting point.
Clearing Your Devices
By the end of the school year, our laptops and phones are probably flooded with screenshots and downloads from old school assignments that we no longer need. Summer is the ideal time to delete all your extra files or organize them in folders
Deep Clean Your Room
Deep cleaning your room can take more than one day, which is why you should set aside some time to declutter. You can organize your closet and donate clothes that don’t fit anymore or recycle all of your extra scrap paper. You’ll rid yourself of your junk, and end up feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of your summer. After all, a clean space is a happy space!
Summer School/Courses
Summer courses are a great way to learn a new subject or skill. Since you won’t have any school assignments in the summer, you will be able to devote your full attention to your course.
Try Something New
We all have that one activity we’ve dreamt of learning, like learning how to play an instrument or sewing. Well, the summer’s the ideal time to develop these long sought-out skills! Trying new things can lead to exciting opportunities and experiences. You might even enjoy a particular activity and want to do it more often. You can go for a walk early in the morning to watch the sunrise, or you can stay up late to stargaze. Perhaps you'd like to learn a new skill or start your own small business.
Disconnect from social media
Instead of spending your summer watching other people live their lives, try to spend more time living your life. You don't have to stop using your phone entirely, but you can decrease your usage so you can find more time for your activities. Maybe put the realistic goal-setting skills you learned earlier to use and try to decrease your screen time!
Hobbies
During the school year, in the midst of the overwhelming pressure of exams, assignments and life, we forget to set aside time for our hobbies. Now is the perfect time for you to reconnect with your old hobbies and interests!
Conclusion
Summer is still a part of your life that you don’t want to waste, so make sure you’re spending your time wisely. By the time September rolls around, you will realize how much you accomplished, motivating you to begin the school year productively.
Resources: https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Realistic-Goals
Edited by Shaaminy Kathir
Riwa is a ninth-grader in Ontario. She enjoys biking and reading. Her favourite subject is science and she loves to bake in her free time.