Strategies for the Summer Term

With summer break here, it’s an appropriate time to acknowledge that our students benefit from structure and routines in their schedule. Much of the structure they’re accustomed to during the year can dissipate during prolonged break periods. Students have done a great job establishing and abiding by morning and evening routines. These routines promote a number of positive habits and behaviors that empower students to be healthy and successful in school, at work, and in personal relationships.

Here are some useful recommendations during summer vacation:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule
• Set goals for the break
• Show off your culinary skills by cooking delicious meals for your family
• Continue to follow your individual wellness protocol
• Maintain your morning and evening routines
• Complete some helpful chores around the house
• Get involved in community service that interests or inspires you
• Interact with family, friends, and neighbors - be an active listener!

Summer Clean-up

Often in our kitchen or office we have that “junk drawer” that is just cluttered with the stuff we don’t know how, or want to deal with. We think it is safe to say we have a bunch of jumbled thoughts about ourselves, and our relationships with others, hanging out in our minds. It may be a daunting task, but clearing out unproductive, or negative thoughts about others, and ourselves is an important duty.

It’s actually much easier and less frightening than it seems. The first thing is to accept that you are a loved and unique soul. The next step is to understand that you have the right and the duty to be liberated from negative thinking. Your liberty of fear will be the renewal of a clear, com-passion-based communication towards others, and towards yourself.

Let Go

The CIP Berkeley students are a bunch of hardworking students. One of the many things we truly admire about them is their willingness to take the risk of “letting go” of rigid thinking, and aim for objectivity in understanding social situations. Being relaxed in social encounters is key to being open to listening. And it’s through listening to others that we can really grow. We always say that great social skills start with a sound relationship with our own self. If you respect yourself, then you have the foundations of how you will use the best social skill of all: The Golden Rule.