{"id":1035,"date":"2013-05-28T08:11:46","date_gmt":"2013-05-28T15:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?p=1035"},"modified":"2019-04-14T10:45:34","modified_gmt":"2019-04-14T17:45:34","slug":"six-ways-to-stay-smart-over-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/six-ways-to-stay-smart-over-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways to Stay Smart Over the Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not all countries have three months of summer vacation like the U.S. and Australia do. In a global market, it\u2019s best not to waste three months out of the year worrying about nothing more significant than getting a tan. Some experts say that summer break is a <\/span>necessary time for students to recharge their brain-batteries<\/a>, while others argue that math and science scores are suffering because of the long break. In an act of sheer genius, we\u2019ve come up with ways to stay smart over the summer, without burying your nose in a book of Shakespeare\u2019s plays or memorizing the periodic table of elements.

Here are six stress-free and fun ways to keep your mind sharp over summer vacation:<\/p>\n

#1 Get Some Sleep<\/h2>\n

Yes, you read that right. To stay smart, you need your sleep. In a recent study at The University of Cincinnati, researchers found that only a quarter of college students are getting the recommended eight hours of sleep<\/a> (although a good fifth of students are habitually skipping their 8AM Physics class and clocking in over eight hours of Zs per night).<\/p>\n

According to neuroscientists\u2014who need their sleep to stay so smart\u2014sleep deprivation can lead to mental instability, stress, and other health problems.<\/a> So during the summer months, take time to recharge your brain by the skipping all-night partying (at least don\u2019t do that every<\/i> night), and regularly getting your eight hours of shut-eye.<\/p>\n

During the night your brain processes the information that it has absorbed during the day, keeping the good stuff and getting rid of the unnecessary stuff. Adequate sleep leads to better brain function and a smarter you.<\/p>\n

#2 Meditate<\/h2>\n

Some researchers<\/a> have found links between consistent (weekly or daily) meditation and an improvement in cognitive function. Meditation has also been shown to decrease stress levels and improve focus.<\/p>\n

This summer, why don\u2019t you get into the meditation habit by committing to a weekly session of meditation, and see how it helps you? If you find the habit leaves you more mentally alert and ready to take on life\u2019s challenges, you can carry it forward into the next school year.<\/p>\n

Here are four steps for a basic ten-minute meditation<\/a>, and check out this fascinating TEDx talk about how meditation changes the brain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

#3 Build Something Cool<\/h2>\n

Break out the potatoes, hairspray, and a hacksaw! It\u2019s time to build a potato gun. Whether you\u2019re a kinetic learner (you learn by doing), or prefer getting your smarts from a book, learning to make stuff or to do new activities, like juggling, can help you stretch and grow your brain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Amazing inventions, like iPods and airplanes, were built by kinetic geniuses that started out in their basements building things like potato guns and rockets<\/a>. Here\u2019s a great step-by-step guide to making your own spud rocket<\/a>. Just don\u2019t break the neighbor\u2019s window!<\/p>\n

#4 Play Brain Games<\/h2>\n

In 2008, researchers at Columbia University endeavored to prove that playing \u201cbrain games\u201d could improve fluid intelligence<\/a> (the brain\u2019s ability to solve new problems).<\/p>\n

While some scientists claim that \u201cBrain Games are Bogus<\/a>\u201d\u2014and the abilities you master playing a game won\u2019t transfer well to helping you write a better essay, for example\u2014the study at Columbia University showed that test subjects significantly increased their fluid intelligent scores by playing the game that researchers developed (play it for yourself here).<\/a><\/p>\n

The researchers behind Luminosity.com<\/a> have likewise undertaken studies that show regular brain training can improve student test scores. And if spending time this summer playing tedious brain games doesn\u2019t sound like your idea of a good time, no worries!<\/p>\n

Game designer Jane McGonigal<\/a> says that playing smartphone games\u2014like the popular game app Angry Birds\u2014can make you a \u201cmore-resourceful problem solver, more collaborative, and less likely to give up when the going gets tough.\u201d So this summer when your mom or girlfriend accuses you of wasting time on your iPad, tell her that you are exercising your brain!<\/p>\n

 #5 Use a Paper Road Map<\/b><\/h2>\n

Are you taking a road trip or visiting a new city in a foreign country this summer? We challenge you to put away your GPS system and break out a paper map to keep your brain sharp! Map reading is, by nature, a mental exercise; for example, you have to compare the real world landmarks around you with the icons on the map to figure out where the heck you are, and which direction you should be going.<\/p>\n

Cartographers say that relying on GPS systems to get you from point A to point B is wiping out our ability to really take notice of our surroundings<\/a>. As a tourist in a new city, you\u2019re more likely to run across a gorgeous cathedral or fascinating museum by taking the time to run your finger across the lines of a paper map.Also, one of the best ways to meet the locals is the simple exercise of stopping and asking for directions.<\/p>\n

Not sure how to read a paper map? Learn to read a map in six simple steps<\/a>. Also, don\u2019t miss out on the \u201cGreatest Paper Map of the United States<\/a>\u201d ever<\/i>. According to cartographers, this mapmaker didn\u2019t skimp out on the details, and the maps shows the true personality of the U.S.<\/p>\n

 #6 Start a Blog<\/b><\/h2>\n

Stephen Krashen, professor emeritus of the University of Southern California, says that the very act of writing makes you smarter<\/a>! But, let\u2019s be honest, you\u2019re probably burnt out from writing all those thesis papers for your Mark Twain-obsessed English Literature professor this year, so we aren\u2019t asking you to spend your summer months re-evaluating your battered copy of Huckleberry Finn<\/i>.<\/p>\n

A fun way to keep your writing skills honed, and your brain agile, is to write a blog. You can keep your friends and family updated on your awesome adventures in India, or you can show off your gluten-free cooking skills. The trick is to find a theme or topic you’re interested in and post a short entry a couple of times per week.<\/p>\n

Who knows, maybe you\u2019ll find you have a knack for blogging and will clock in on the top ten most successful bloggers<\/a> list next year! Not sure how to start a blog? Here are some quick and dirty tips on how to get your blog rolling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let your gray matter turn into mush. Practice these six fun and easy brain-strengthening tips to keep your synapses firing all summer long. When school picks up next year, you\u2019ll be ahead of your game. Do you have other fun ideas for staying smart this summer? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Not all countries have three months of summer vacation like the U.S. and Australia do. In a global market, it\u2019s best not to waste three months out of the year worrying about nothing more significant than getting a tan. Some experts say that summer break is a necessary time for students to recharge their brain-batteries, … <\/p>\n

Read more<\/b> “6 Ways to Stay Smart Over the Summer”<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,1],"tags":[156,10,81],"yoast_head":"\n6 Ways to Stay Smart Over the Summer - Kibin Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for ways to stay smart over the summer? Don't let your brain turn to mash! 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