As students look forward to school breaks, they often have fun activities planned such as trips, leisure, family gatherings and connect with friends. During these breaks, school work is usually the last thing on their mind.

With the advent of technology, students today can easily spend hours playing video games or browsing social media platforms instead of engaging in academic activities. This begs the question, do students lose important academic skills during school breaks?.

Lack of Continuity in Learning

When students do not engage in academic activities during school breaks, they are usually unable to maintain the continuity of learning.

This can lead to a loss of important academic skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

For example, students who do not read during school breaks may experience a lapse in their reading comprehension skills upon resuming school.

Similarly, students who do not engage in critical thinking or problem-solving activities during school breaks may struggle with these skills when they return to school.

Importance of Academic Skills

Academic skills are important not just for achieving academic success, but also for real-life situations.

For instance, reading comprehension is essential to understand and analyze written instructions, directions and other important documents needed for daily life activities. Writing skills are essential for writing resumes, application letters, and other official documents. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important for making informed decisions and solving problems encountered in daily life.

The Effect of Breaks on Memory Retention

Memory retention is critical for academic success. While students may have the initial knowledge of academic topics, breaks can disrupt their ability to retain such knowledge.

Research has shown that long breaks from school can have a negative effect on memory retention.

For instance, a study conducted by Harris Cooper, a psychology professor at Duke University, revealed that students who do not engage in academic activities during school breaks often forget up to two and a half months of learning by the time they return to school. Such a memory lapse can impact their overall academic performance.

The Impact of Technology

Technology plays a significant role in shaping the lives of students today. While advances in technology can positively impact academic performance, the overreliance on technology can have adverse effects.

During school breaks, students may spend hours playing video games, watching videos or browsing social media platforms.

Research has shown that excessive use of technology can cause cognitive disturbances such as lower attention span, reduced memory retention and impaired decision making. In some cases, excessive use of technology can lead to addiction, which can further impact academic performance.

Strategies To Maintain Academic Skills

While school breaks are an essential part of academic life, students can take certain actions to avoid losing important academic skills. One strategy is to engage in academic activities that mimic real-world scenarios.

For instance, students can read books or articles that relate to their career interests, write research papers or summaries, engage in critical thinking and problem-solving puzzles, and attend academic camps that offer hands-on learning experiences.

Another strategy is to take breaks actively. Rather than playing video games or browsing social media platforms for extended periods, students can opt to engage in physical exercises or hobbies.

Physical exercises and hobbies can stimulate the brain and can lead to improved academic performance.

Conclusion

While school breaks are an essential part of academic life, they can lead to a loss of important academic skills. Students who do not engage in academic activities during breaks may struggle to retain information, leading to poor academic performance.

The overreliance on technology can further exacerbate these effects, leading to lower memory retention and impaired decision making. Students can take proactive approaches to maintain academic skills such as engaging in academic activities that mimic real-world scenarios, taking active breaks, and attending academic camps.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the students to ensure they maintain academic skills during school breaks to improve their academic performance and prepare for real-world situations.