What can we do to ensure a great summer holiday?
6 weeks is a long amount of time, but if you don’t plan for it in advance, you can find yourself either wasting this valuable time or plummeting into a frenzy of binge watching Netflix.
Rest, Relax, Reflect, React
The summer holiday is one of those perks which non-teaching friends will lambaste you for having. Many of them are blissfully unaware of the amount of work you put in the rest of the year to counteract this. You deserve a break and a good one too.
It’s not only an essential time to combat burnout but allows the profession to rest, relax, reflect and react on their teaching. In this blog I aim to give some tips on how to truly get the most out of your summer holiday.
1. Rest
There is a reason that this is at the top of the list. Teaching is such a tiring job it is of paramount importance that you take some time to relax.
Listen to your body. Perhaps you could take the time to go for a walk on a warm summers day. Maybe you could turn those 6am alarms off and take advantage of some well-earned lay-ins. For some it may be a holiday abroad, for others it may be visiting the local park regularly. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to make the most of this time and don’t feel guilty.
2. Relax
As difficult as it can be, always try to take the first couple of weeks to completely turn off from school work. This will allow you to come back to it in a different angle at a later time.
You could try some mindfulness techniques, or maybe take time to read some books. Make sure you take full advantage of this time by seeing loved ones and friends who certainly feel your absence in term time.
3. Reflect
In the back half of the holiday I start to reflect on my teaching practice. Around this point in the summer term I always try to get some anonymous feedback from students about my teaching and also from colleagues who have seen me teach. I think great teachers are always reflective and it is integral to your practice that you reach out for opinions.
4. React
Once you have reflected on your practice, it is time to make necessary adjustments and plans. Most importantly, set yourself an achievable to do list, and make sure you do it!
Don’t expect the world of yourself, it is still a holiday after all. Numerous teachers report of holiday guilt and it is something that I find hard to avoid myself.
How can you improve the module you taught for the first time this year? What new things will you teach next year and how will you prepare for it? Make your plan and stick to it!
What Will You Do?
So what are you going to do during this summer holiday?
As for me, I am going to do a free online course, visit some museums in London, and spend time with my amazing nephews, friends and family.
By resting, relaxing, reflecting and reacting I plan to get the most out of my summer holiday. This means in September I’ll be ready to provide my students with enthusiastic, energetic and stimulating learning.