Finally, the end of another school year is upon us. Perhaps you’re graduating, or your friend is graduating—either way, summer is (basically) here. One thing that we may have been badgered about throughout our formative school years is summer memory loss, which is basically when you forget everything you learned in the preceding nine months or so.
In college, we’re all working diligently for our money’s worth and at a major we [probably] really enjoy. Even still, sometimes the information just doesn’t weather well in your fun in the sun. For example, I’m taking Latin for my language requirement and it’ll be a whole three months before I have to look at declensions and conjugations again—except, Latin, like many other languages we take on to fulfill a requirement, takes practice and constant refreshing.
As much as summer should be stress-free, why not relieve some of the stress of having to relearn too much in the fall by taking small steps to refresh our knowledge in our free time. And sometimes, it’s just fun to continue learning even when there are no essays to write or projects to do. Here are some ways you can combat memory loss while continuing to learn new things this summer!
1. Download Duolingo or other language-learning apps.
Most of us use our phones or some sort of device 99% of the day, so why not add some productivity in the mix? Duolingo, if you don’t have the app or haven’t heard of it, is a language-learning platform which houses a plethora of languages for you to explore. Recently, the app added the fictional Klingon! Some other great apps include Memrise, busuu, or even Google Translate if you’re feeling lucky!
2. Sign up for the Merriam Webster’s Word of the Day.
Typical English major here — I absolutely love words. Learning new words is not only fun but pivotal! Expand your adult vocabulary. Upon signing up you will receive a daily email with a new word. Some words are not always super ambiguous; sometimes, what makes it more interesting is the historical and etymological tidbit included!
3. Watch Video Essays.
Video essays have become a lot more popular in the last couple of years and the best thing is that you can find an essay on pretty much anything. Take, for example, this essay on the loved and late David Bowie and his characters and this essay on laundry symbols (you know, those hieroglyphic-like symbols on the tag of your jeans). Both super interesting and informative.
4. Learn how to code with Grasshopper.
This is super cool. It’s not only helpful for those who are not naturally inclined to the world of JavaScript and HTML but still try to take programming classes, it is also simply beneficial for learning the essential art of coding—especially in the increasingly self-sufficient age of tech we live in!
5. Podcasts. Podcasts. Podcasts.
The great thing about podcasts is not only can you say “yeah, I listen to podcasts” which in 2018 makes you a pretty cool person (or pretentious, it goes either way) but like video essays, they can be about ANYTHING. Some of my favorites include Stuff You Should Know and Welcome to Night Vale. Vastly different but both an experience!
Learning can be just as fun as wading in the water—why not do both? Keep learning. Know more things.
