Dear readers,

Summer is all about making fun memories, from nights out in downtown Kansas City to catching up with friends from high school. However, adopting a schedule that balances work and play can be beneficial in the future and other areas of life. 

Maintaining a balanced and timely schedule throughout the year is a powerful strategy for a more focused mindset. Having a routine during the school year is easy; a calendar is useful between mandatory class times and shifts at work being so specific. However, since students have abundant free time during the summer, there are endless opportunities for you to fill your day.

Instead of sleeping until 1 p.m. and staying out until 3 a.m., consider adjusting your sleep schedule and exploring new hobbies or jobs to give yourself a sense of responsibility.

Having a summer job brings you a stable paycheck and an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and teaches you new skills that school could not bring you. This keeps you engaged, broadens your horizons on different outlooks on life and brings you new opportunities you could never have imagined.

With a year-round sense of routine and a balanced schedule, time management skills will develop and the importance of time will be a newfound skill for you. 

If working is not an option for you, try adding an elective or class to your schedule for something to do, learn a new language or try a new craft you’ve always been saying you’ll try. Some universities offer low-cost or free resources for summer classes, including courses at Harvard University, The University of California and Georgia Tech.

If you want to take a break from school and work, find a new hobby or book series you’ve always wanted to try. There are plenty of options, but if you’re having trouble finding some, examples include anything from this article: “Need a New Hobby? Here Are 31 Fun Ideas to Try This Summer.”

While summer is a perfect opportunity to keep your brain motivated, don’t stress yourself out. After all, we’re young and should be making memories with friends, but there should be a balance between making memories and ensuring a future for ourselves.

Work and school do not always have to come first, but these scheduling tactics will continue to motivate the left side of your brain during a slow season so you can come back better than ever.