Sir Godfrey Gregg

Holidays are wonderful for rest and fun, but your brain is like any other part of your body—it needs regular exercise to stay strong. Research shows that students who don’t read or engage with learning during long breaks can experience “summer slide” or “holiday learning loss,” where skills diminish from lack of use.

Think of your brain as a muscle. Athletes don’t stop all training during their off-season because they’d lose the fitness they worked hard to build. Similarly, taking a complete break from reading and learning means you’ll return to school having lost some of the progress you made. Just 20-30 minutes of reading daily keeps your mind sharp and prevents this backslide.

The good news is that holiday learning doesn’t have to feel like school. You can read adventure stories that transport you to magical worlds, explore topics you’re genuinely curious about, or dive into graphic novels and magazines. Learning during holidays should feel different—more relaxed, self-directed, and enjoyable—but it should still happen.

Consider this: while you’re relaxing completely, your brain is actually craving stimulation. After a few days of pure leisure, many people feel restless or bored. That’s your mind telling you it wants to engage with something meaningful. Reading and light studying satisfy this need while keeping your skills fresh.

You’ve worked hard during the school term to learn and grow. Don’t let those gains slip away during the break. A small daily commitment to reading or reviewing material ensures you return to school feeling confident and prepared rather than rusty and overwhelmed. Your future self, walking back into that classroom, will thank you for staying engaged. Balance rest with mental activity, and you’ll have both an enjoyable holiday and a smooth return to academics.