Planning a productive summer for students with disabilities may not be on your bucket list, but it can provide a lot of opportunity to your student. For college students with learning disabilities or ADHD, summer is an opportunity to reset, build new skills, and prepare for future academic success. But without structure, summer can quickly turn into lost time. Parents can play a crucial role in guiding their students toward a productive and balanced break while helping set them up for success in the upcoming semester.
Setting Summer Goals
Encourage your student to define clear goals for the summer, such as:
- Academic Improvement: Retaking a difficult course, enrolling in a summer class, or working with a tutor.
- Career Development: Securing an internship, volunteering, or working a summer job to build professional experience.
- Independence & Life Skills: Practicing time management, budgeting, or self-advocacy for college accommodations.
- Self-Care & Hobbies: Finding time for relaxation, personal interests, and mental well-being.
Ep 54: College Transition Tips: The Best Skillsets For Proven College Success.
Creating a Flexible but Structured Schedule
Help your student develop a schedule that balances productivity and relaxation. A few tips:
- Use planners or apps to track goals and deadlines.
- Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Set aside specific times for study, work, and self-care.
For more on time management in college, listen to episode 82: Time Management for College- Developing the Right Mindset.
Encouraging Self-Advocacy
Summer is a great time for students to practice self-advocacy by:
- Researching and understanding their college’s disability services.
- Contacting advisors to plan accommodations for the next semester.
- Learning to communicate needs effectively with professors and employers.
Ep 63 How To Improve Self-advocacy Skills At Home.
If you need the best resource for your student to prepare to self-advocate in college, take a look at my book: Self-Advocacy for Higher Education: A Step by Step Guide to Preparing to Request Accommodations in College
Conclusion
A productive summer doesn’t have to mean a packed schedule. By setting meaningful goals and maintaining a balance of work and rest, students with disabilities can enter the next school year with confidence.
