Don’t send your brains on holiday

The answer lies in combining study with rest and recreation, writes William Bickerdike

T he holidays come as a welcome break for most students, especially those who have just taken major examinations.

But there is also the worry - especially among parents - that hard-won knowledge may slip away as the holiday drifts by. What is the best strategy? How can you keep your mind sharp yet still relax as you deserve?

Holiday study

Anyone part-way through an exam course is probably already well aware that long vacations provide a valuable opportunity to get on top of any subjects that are causing problems.

But once the holiday begins, it can get harder and harder to return to study. A short school course could be the answer - a few days, or even hours, spent in a focused environment can reap great benefits and also put to rest some long-term worries.

If you can't find a school that offers a relevant course, then block out some time for home study. Use a method you know you will enjoy - perhaps buy a new computer programme or visit a recommended website.

Limit study time so it doesn't become a chore, and enlist parental help to make sure you stick to your programme.

Mid-course students often receive specific holiday assignments, and these need to be factored into holiday plans.

Just as in term time, little and often is the best approach to study - far better to aim to complete assignments steadily over the long break, than end up rushing just before you return to the classroom.

When exams are over

For students just finishing significant exams this is the time to relax, to forget about study for a while and to let off some steam. It's very important not to worry about exam results.

Be prepared for any outcome but remember: you've done the hard work, now you can relax. In my next column I will look in more detail at what to do when you get your grades - especially if they are worse (or better) than you expect.

For exam candidates a long break from school marks the end of significant period of work, but also heralds the next stage in an academic or professional career and provides a valuable opportunity to get prepared.

A very first step is to methodically file away revision notes, papers and books, and it is easier to do this now than later.

For students who will continue their studies, some of these notes will still be very important so it is vital to sort them while you can still remember what goes where.

Your brain's performance and ability to remember stays pretty constant for most of your adult life.

It may seem as though core knowledge is lost as soon as you put down your books, but refreshing the brain in a less demanding (and possibly more enjoyable) way can help reinforce the knowledge and understanding you've worked so hard to achieve.

For example, if you know which subjects you will be studying in the autumn, then keep an active interest in anything that seems relevant - read the newspaper, visit exhibitions, read books, watch TV programmes, follow a short course in a related subject.

Older students could try to get some practical experience, which could also help in a résumé and even a future career.

There are often internship opportunities or work experience placements available, which could give you a chance to find out more about potential career paths.

A holiday job of any sort can be valuable - you'll be using your brain, keeping active and earning money at the same time!

You can keep mentally sharp in any number of other ways. Crosswords, puzzles, a class in sport or any other interesting topic, travel, talk with friends - in fact many of the ways in which you probably also relax!

It is important to have fun during the summer, but don't forget your studies completely - keeping your brain sharp will make life a whole lot easier in the autumn.

Looking at world issues
Oxford University is setting up a £3 million (Dh19.94million)-a-year centre to help solve the world's ‘most pressing problems'.

The 21st Century School will look at issues such as climate change, disease, aging societies and technology. The university is funding the project from a £60 million (Dh398.8million) endowment given by computer pioneer James Martin, who received a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his book The Wired Society.

The book was based on his predictions and progressive views about technology. The school will host 10 academics a year, with the aim of creating a network.
- Education UK News Digest/British Council

The writer is regional director at the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)