Summer break is a great time to reflect on the past school year and recharge for the next one. While your plans probably include plenty of beach days, barbecues, and binge-watching shows on Netflix, you should also find time for activities that will keep your brain stimulated until you resume classes in the fall. And don’t worry—they won’t feel like schoolwork! Here are four ways to make sure your mind stays sharp this summer:
Read
This may sound boring, but the beauty of summer is that you aren’t obligated to pour over textbooks, which means you can read anything you want! Is your favorite TV show or movie based on a book? Have you been meaning to catch up on your favorite comic? Treat yourself to some light, fun reading and keep your mind and imagination active.
Learn an instrument
Did you ever watch School of Rock and wish you could shred on the guitar or lay down some beats on the drums? Playing an instrument has been proven to improve long-term memory and reaction times, as well as change brain structure and function for the better. Check for lessons in your local area or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, teach yourself! There are plenty of online tutorials that will walk you through the basics. If you’re leaning toward guitar, you could even continue your learning with ASU Prep Digital this fall and enroll in our Guitar 1 class.
Write
Don’t worry, we aren’t talking about writing essays, summaries, or book reports. Leisurely writing can be fun and help your mind stay sharp. You can write poems, short stories, or journal entries about your summer adventures! Writing in any form improves cognitive function, increases brain plasticity, and strengthens concentration skills.
Play Board Games
You read that right! Playing board games can have a positive impact on your brain function and development, and the fact that they’re fun is just an added bonus. There are a variety of games, such as chess, Risk, and Clue, that will help boost creativity, enhance logical and critical thinking, and improve long-term memory. Grab your friends and family for a game night and have fun while working out your mind.
If you’re looking to expand your mind even further this summer, consider taking a summer class through ASU Prep Digital! The enrollment deadline for our Summer Session 2 is July 2. Learn more about tuition and classes here.
