Summer Prep for a Great Fall Semester

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

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In 2019, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints released a new program for children and youth. The Children and Youth initiative helps individuals to make goals by encouraging them to consider how they would like to grow in each of the following areas: intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. These four categories are based on Luke 2:52 which states, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Each of the underlined words represents each of the ways Jesus grew, and in turn, ways we should strive to grow.

Summer is a good time to reset and prepare for another school year. Even though this program was designed for children and youth, it is a great example for adults too! In this post, I will go over some ideas for goals you could set over the summer to prepare for the best next year ever!

Intellectual

I know that growing intellectually is the last thing you want to think about over the summer,

but learning doesn't have to be painful! Learning a new skill or researching a fun topic is learning too! At the McKay school, we like to take time in the summer to read books about education. Here are some of our favorites:

• Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Out of my Mind is about a 10-year-old girl named Melody. She has cerebral palsy and has never been able to speak verbally. When Melody gets a new speaking device, her position in life begins to shift. The book is from her point of view, and shows the reader the struggles in her life caused by her lack of speech. Check it out at the library here!

• Educated by Tara Westover

I have not read Educated, but our PETE ambassador Kamora has! Here's what she had to say about it.

"Educated by Tara Westover is a memoir about a girl who grows up in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho with no formal schooling. Her parents don’t believe in public education or modern medicine, so Tara spends her childhood working in her father’s junkyard and preparing for the end of the world. She works hard and teaches herself enough to be admitted to college, eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. I liked this book because it shows how important education can be. Tara’s story shows that gaining knowledge can change your life. It can open doors, help you see the world differently, and give you strength to get through hard challenges." Find it at the library here!

Physical

Summer is a great time to go outdoors! There are lots of fun adventures close to campus. You could hike the Y or one of the many trails in the canyon, you could go to Provo Beach or Utah Lake, or go camping all within a couple hours of campus! You could also get your friends together to play sports. BYU's indoor and outdoor tennis courts are open to all students! The old Provo High School (currently the home of BYU's Arts Department) has a track out back, and BYU Student Wellness offers so many programs! See what else they offer here.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea that our bodies have physical needs, that we forget everything else the term "physical" encompasses. I like to think that my physical needs include taking care of my physical space. When Winter semester ends and finals are finally over, our rooms usually look like the aftermath of a tornado! If you aren't moving, it can be tempting to shove things in closets and pretend they are not there. However, this cluttered space can make you feel anxious. Remember, cleanliness is close to Godliness, so make your space a sacred space by keeping it clean! What goals can you make to improve your space?

Spiritual

We can get so caught up in the fun of the summer that we forget the most important thing: our relationship with our Father in Heaven. There are so many temples in the area, and it is up to us to attend and receive the strength that flows from them. We are in a part of our lives where we are making major decisions about school, careers, marriage, and family. It is important to have the Lord's guidance when ever we can. Alongside temple attendance, personal scripture study, prayer, and regular church attendance is vital. I'm not perfect at any of these things, but summer time is a great time to get started with new habits! How can you strengthen your relationship with the Lord?

Social

Social life isn't something we usually think about setting goals in, but they can be the most fun goals to set! Social goals should be based on building relationships, however you want to do that. You can also tie your social goals in with your other goals by completing them with other people. Maybe you go running with your friends, do Come, Follow Me with your FHE group, or start a book club! College life is, by nature, a social life, but it is important that we are spending our social time with the right people doing the right things. What can you do to improve your relationships with others?

There are lots of ways you can take this next summer to prepare for the best next school year ever! You know where you are, and you know where you can improve! In addition to preparing for next fall, following these guidelines will help you become more like our Savior. Make some goals and feel free to share them with us! Best of luck to you!

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For anyone considering a career in education, I encourage you to try it! If you have any questions about majoring in education click here to schedule an appointment with a student ambassador!