Beating the Summer Slides

Hey Mustangs! As you are all probably well aware, it has been unseasonably warm here and Marshall. Not that anyone’s complaining, right? The sunny days have allowed students to break out of their dorm rooms, catch a few rays of sun, and enjoy a wider variety of outdoor activities. Walking around campus you will notice students participating in things like ultimate Frisbee, sand volleyball, rollerblading, and even just sitting in the grass and catching up with friends. With all of the possible activities, sunshine, and the fact that there is just over six weeks left to the school year, it’s no wonder that some students may having issues beating the “summer slides”. The Summer Slides refers to having a bad case of procrastination, and putting your homework on the backburner because it’s nice out. Here are a few tips to beat the Summer Slides:

1. Try doing your homework outside for a change. It allows you to be productive, and enjoy the weather.
2. Make a to do list and tell yourself that you have to get at least X amount crossed off your list before you can take a break to do something with your friends for a while. It’s also a good idea to order your list from greatest importance to least importance, and by due date. This will ensure that if you do potentially lose track of time then you’ll be more likely to be on top of important projects anyway.
3. Create a routine for yourself. If you know that you have an hour or two between classes, use that time to do homework in one of SMSU’s many court yards. That way you can catch up, or get ahead on your work. Chances are, your friends are in class during that time anyway, so this will allow you to gain more time at the end of the day to spend time with them when they are free as well. Perhaps set a time at the end of the day in which you have to start homework. Maybe find a study partner so you can help each other stay motivated and on task.

There are only 47 days (including finals week) left until Summer. Hang in there and good luck!

Go Mustangs!

Kaelyn Turner
Sophomore - Sartell, MN