Is Summer Good For Students?
You’re working your way through finals week, and the end goal? Summer. It’s the promise of freedom from homework and lectures, more sleep and sun, and no more group work for at least 3 months. But when summer arrives, why it doesn’t feel like the full sense of freedom you were expecting? It’s a little more complicated. You might be a student who thrives during the break. Maybe you set your own schedule but keep a semblance of structure. Or maybe you find yourself weirdly anxious, restless, or even a little lost. Summer is seen as a break from the busy school year, but for some students, it comes with its own challenges. Summer can feel overwhelming, even if you’re already in therapy for teens or therapy for college students. With less structure and support, it’s easy to fall off track with your goals and self-care routines. So, is summer even a break at all? Is it even good for you?
The Good Stuff: Why Summer Can Be a Game-Changer
The answer to this question is, as always, it depends. Plus, let’s give summer some credit that is due. It’s a real break from academic pressure and that can be healing. You no longer have to juggle classes, deadlines, extracurriculars, and even some social expectations. It gives your brain a chance to breathe. This time allows you to actually choose how you spend your days, and if you’re a student who has been living in survival mode, this freedom can feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. So, summer can definitely be a game-changer in terms of providing much-needed rest and relaxation.
Some students use summer to finally fix that 2 a.m. bedtime and catch up on sleep. Others spend time on hobbies, hang out with family and friends, work without finals stress, or focus on projects they actually care about. Summer gives students the chance to step back from grades and GPAs and reconnect with themselves. And honestly, everyone could use that kind of reset. But, you can sense the catch coming, right? Unfortunately, summer can be stressful too.
The Weird Side: When Summer Feels Harder Than You Expected
Often enough, people don’t talk about the pressure that comes along with summer. The structure you’ve had over the past 9 months? It’s gone. There’s no more strict schedule, no guarantee to see your friends every day, and no burst of serotonin from making progress in school. Summer can be weird if you’re in high school or college. Friends leave, and suddenly you’re feeling alone. There’s pressure to “do something productive,” and when you don’t, the anxiety kicks in. You start overthinking, feeling restless, and doubting yourself. Big questions about the future? Yeah, they hit even harder.
Too much unstructured time can be overwhelming, especially if you already feel like you’re falling behind. That’s why many students, including those working with a therapist for teens and college students, use summer to focus on building emotional skills, not just relaxing. Because this is the time when FOMO, feeling as if you need to be productive for the future, or anxiety about the present can creep in.
The Real Picture: Summer Doesn’t Have to Be a Hustle
Sometimes, there is the expectation that summer is meant to further your academic resume or even your job prospects. However, it’s important to remember that summer is also a time for self-care and personal growth. You want to forego a day of volunteering to just sit in peace and read a book? Great! You want to take a weekend trip with friends instead of interning? That’s awesome too! The pressure to be constantly productive can be overwhelming, especially during the summer. But it’s important to remember that success is not solely defined by how much you accomplish in a given time period.
It’s also about finding balance and taking care of yourself. You don’t have to be taking classes, interning, traveling abroad, volunteering, working out, learning a new language, and starting a side hustle just to make your summer count. Also, let’s be clear: that’s unrealistic and toxic. You don’t need to earn rest, because rest is productive. So is joy. So is doing something purely because you love it, not because it fits on a resume. Taking time to recharge is an act of self-respect, not laziness. And separating your worth from your “output”? Honestly, that’s a life skill worth practicing now.
How Summer Can Highlight Bigger Stuff Underneath
How familiar is this situation: You lay down at night and relish in how this is a moment where everything has slowed down. But what happens? Emotions you pushed aside that day or even earlier that week pop up. It’s not unusual for this to happen during the summer because it’s a long period of slowing down, for the most part. And let’s stay with saying that feeling all of that at once isn’t a failure, it’s you being human. Summer has a way of bringing feelings to the surface; the loneliness you didn’t realize was there, anxiety about the future, grief over changing friendships, or doubts about your direction.
These feelings aren’t bad, but they can be overwhelming when they catch you off guard. The quieter months are a great time for therapy for teens and therapy for college students. It’s a chance to reflect on what you truly want, not just what you think you “should” want. It also gives you space to process old feelings and develop emotional tools to handle what’s next. Summer isn’t just a break, it’s an opportunity for a different kind of growth. The slower, deeper kind that lasts.
Making Summer Work for You
Is summer good for students? Well, that depends on what “good” means to you. If it’s about having picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy days all the time, probably not. But if it’s about taking time to rest, explore, and reconnect with yourself, then definitely. Let yourself rest, guilt-free. Set simple goals, like reading a book you actually want to read, and make summer yours.
Stick with people who lift you up, not those who just take from you. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, talk to someone you trust, you don’t have to handle it all alone. For college students in Chicago and Evanston, IL or therapy for teens in Evanston, IL, therapy can be a space to figure things out. No pressure, no judgment, just solid support.
Why Summer Growth Looks Different for Everyone
Summer isn’t a magic fix, it’s a change. And with any change, you’ll face the highs and the lows. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re growing. Whether your summer looks like hiking, Netflix marathons, tackling tough emotions, or all of the above, it’s all valid. You’re valid. And if you need a little extra support, like teen counseling or therapy in Evanston, IL, that’s okay too. This summer, just focus on being honest with yourself. The rest can wait.
Enjoy Your Summer with Therapy for Teens and College Students in Chicago & Evanston, IL
As the school year comes to an end and summer begins, it’s natural for teens and college students to feel a mix of emotions. Some may be excited for the freedom and relaxation that comes with summer break, while others may feel anxious about making plans or being away from friends. No matter what your summer looks like, it’s important to remember that all experiences are valid. Therapy for college students in Chicago & Evanston, IL & Therapy for Teens in Evanston, IL can help you navigate these feelings and make the most out of your summer break.
At Evanston Counseling, our therapists understand and empathize with the challenges and uncertainties that come with being a college student or teenager. We provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Our goal is to support you in finding healthy coping mechanisms and developing resilience during this transitional stage of life. Let’s find ways to enjoy your summer and overcome any obstacles that may come your way. Here’s how to get started:
- Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
- Talk with a therapist who specializes in working with students and teenagers.
- Explore your strengths, interests, and goals to create a plan for the summer.
Other Therapy Services at Evanston Counseling
At Evanston Counseling, we support college students and teens who are struggling with the pressure to have the “perfect” summer experience. Our therapists understand how difficult it can be to navigate summer break and all the expectations that come with it. That’s why we offer a variety of therapy services to help you feel more confident, fulfilled, and true to yourself during this time. We offer therapy for college students in Evanston and Chicago, IL, along with therapy for teens, young adults, parents, and individuals working through anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Our therapists use a range of approaches like CBT, hypnotherapy, and even pet therapy. Whether you need a space to vent, reflect, or recharge, our therapists are here to support you. Our goal is to help you feel more grounded and connected, to yourself and to what matters most.
