Top 10 Ways Students Can Keep Their Brains in Shape This Summer

And Parent/Families Can Join Them!
Keeping the brain in shape is a year-round pursuit. Yet, many students don't use their brains in the same, knowledge-seeking manner as they do during the regular school year. So, here are some simple ways for them to jog that noggin'—and for you and your family to join in the action!

1. Play word and number games like Soduko and Scrabble. And do crossword puzzles and word jumbles. Thinking logically to accomplish these tasks stretches the brain muscles.
   
2. Eat fish and other brain foods!
   
3. Test your memory recall after being in a large group setting, whether it's a church picnic or a family reunion. See how many names and relationships you can remember.
   
4. Read a book with multiple characters that you have to work at keeping straight. Then, discuss the story and the character's interactions with others who are reading the same thing.
   
5. Listen to public radio in the morning or watch world news in the evening to keep in touch with what's happening in the world.
   
6. Learn something new on the computer.
   
7. Move around — an active body contributes to a healthy mind!
   
8. Write something regularly, whether it's a letter, an email or a journal entry, just to keep those skills in practice.
   
9. Pick up a newspaper or news magazine when waiting to get your oil changed or your hair cut. Those few minutes reading substantial "stuff" can keep the brain from getting rusty.
   
10. And, take risks to learn something new. If there's a local writer's institute, go listen to the authors who are speaking. If there's a local farmer's market, buy a vegetable you haven't tried before and look up a good recipe for it.

Learning is all around and keeping the brain limber and ready for the fall semester is often much easier than you think!