This is a guest post contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of university reviews. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.
For those of you who are not on summer school duty this year, you are probably bursting at the seams in anticipation of your three-month break. Yes, you need to get through final exams first, but the end is nigh and you couldn’t be happier. There were many altruistic reasons that you became a teacher. However, there is no shame in counting three more amongst that list: June, July and August.
In order to get the most out of your highly anticipated vacation, heed the following tips for teachers:
- Decompress – It might take a few weeks to disengage from the stress of your demanding career, so take a little time to unwind before you make any big plans.
- Sleep – You missed this aspect of life, didn’t you? Don’t beat yourself up if you sleep in a bit these days. You have earned this privilege.
- Have Some Fun – Whether it is a trip to the beach with a fun novel or a night out with your non-teacher friends, it is time to have some fun.
- Reflect on Your Future – Once you have relaxed a bit and eased into your summer, it is time to consider where your teaching career is headed and where you might want to steer it.
- Consider Some Professional Courses – Have you been putting off your graduate degree? The summertime may be the only time you can squeeze in some courses.
- Consider a Part-Time Job – If you have been struggling with bills or just want to try something new, think about a summer job.
- Consider Doing Nothing at All – Ah, this is my favorite summer vacation route. Teaching can be a tiring, thankless job that requires you to be “on” at all times. Why not treat yourself to blissful silence and relaxation for three months?
Three months. 90 days. Although you may think of your summer vacation as this gaping oasis of time that you look forward to each year, it can fly by very quickly. Be sure to think about how you want to benefit from your vacation before school lets out. Whether you want to advance your career with some summer workshops or catch up on your TiVo recordings, remember to put yourself first for a change. Goodness knows you can’t do that during the school year!
