05 Aug First Day Jitters: Strategies to Get Students Excited About Learning After Summer Break

As summer break comes to an end, students often feel anxious about transitioning from the carefree days of vacation to the structured days of a new school year.

Here are some effective strategies tutors use to help students get excited about learning again after the summer break.

Create an Inviting Atmosphere

The first step in making students excited about learning is to create a comfortable and welcoming environment. An atmosphere that is positive and encouraging can help to set the tone for a productive year ahead.

Here are a few tips:

• Personalized Welcome: Before the first tutoring session, tutors will send a personalized welcome to both new and returning students. Highlighting something specific they did well last year or mention something they’re looking forward to working on with them.
• Inviting Tutoring Space: Ensure your tutoring space is inviting and comfortable. We often see tutors arrange the furniture to facilitate engagement and interaction, or bring brightly colored supplements to liven up a session.

Set Clear and Attainable Goals

Students need a sense of direction and purpose, especially after a summer with less structure. Setting goals can help provide those things. Here’s how:

• Break Down Objectives: Tutors often divide larger academic goals into smaller, more manageable short-term targets. Celebrating these small victories helps build confidence and momentum.

• Personalized Goals: Create personalized goals tailored to each student’s interests, strengths, and learning styles. When students see their personal interests and preferred learning methods reflected in their objectives, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged.