Ready for Summer Yet?
After a cold and snowy February, many of us are already looking forward to the summer. So, as long as you’re already going there…have you thought about summer executive function and study supports for your student? While a summer of continued support for study skills and other areas may not sound like a fun time, it doesn’t need to be the only activity planned. In fact, with summer camp registrations usually set by January or February, now is a great time to explore gaps in the schedule or other free time opportunities to make sure that study skills don’t backslide.
Who Benefits from Summer Support?
While a break in the form of camp, vacation, or other areas of interest is very important for students (particularly those with ADHD and executive dysfunction), there are at least three types of students who would especially benefit from having summer supports added to the mix.
1. Students who are at risk of having their executive function routines and study skills backslide over the summer break. For students who have spent this school year practicing new strategies for organization and study skills, now should be the time that these new strategies are beginning to be routinized. Additional opportunities for practice over the summer can help with maintenance of these skills, so that they’re not starting the new school year back at square one.
2. High school seniors who are starting college in the fall. Time management and executive function are of paramount importance in college. Students who may have received support in high school with chunking out assignments, managing deadlines, and turning work in on time will be expected to do this independently. The summer before freshman year is a great opportunity to work on understanding expectations in college, how to access supports on campus, and general skill building in self-advocacy and independence.
3. College students who need to do things differently. Summer is a prime opportunity for a reset, particularly for college students who just skated by during their freshman year or who otherwise did not have a successful initial experience. Putting some time in over the summer to reflect, revisit what worked and what didn’t, and to arrive on campus with a plan to do things differently can be a difference maker.
How to incorporate these supports into a summer plan?
There are several ways to plan ahead for the summer. The first step is to begin assessing skills right now. What is working? Has it become routine yet? What isn’t working, and what strategies might help? Once you have assessed the need, you can connect with your executive function coach, tutor, or teachers at school to develop a plan for success. Need more help? We’ve got you – EEG is offering virtual summer classes in all of the above areas, with registration beginning this month. Check out our website for more details.