Mid-Summer Checkin

We're halfway through summer. How are you actually doing?

Not how you think you should be doing, or how you look like you're doing on social media, or how you wish you were doing. How are you actually doing?

The Mid-Summer Slump

Many students hit a rough patch in July:

• Initial summer excitement has worn off

• You're settling into reality vs. expectations

• Fall semester still feels far away (no end point motivation yet)

• Summer might not be going how you imagined

• Loneliness or boredom might be setting in

This is normal. Summer can be just as challenging as the school year - just differently.

Expectations vs. Reality

What You Might Have Expected:

• Feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated

• Being super productive with all this free time

• Amazing adventures and social experiences

• Clarity about life goals and future plans

• Feeling happy and carefree

Reality for Many Students:

• Still stressed (work, family, uncertainty about fall)

• Actually less productive than during structured school time

• Lots of quiet, ordinary days

• Still confused about the future

• A mix of emotions, not constant happiness

Both sets of feelings are valid. Adjust expectations to match reality.

Managing Different Summer Situations

If Summer Isn't What You Hoped:

Maybe:

• Your job is boring or stressful

• You're more isolated than expected

• Family dynamics are harder than anticipated

• You're not making as much money as you need

• Your internship isn't the learning experience you wanted

• You're just... not having fun

Remember:

• One disappointing summer doesn't define your life

• You're learning from this experience (even if it's what you don't want)

• There will be other summers

• You can make changes for next year

If You're Struggling with Mental Health:

Summer can actually be harder for mental health than the school year:

• Less structure to hold you accountable

• Fewer built-in social connections

• More time alone with your thoughts

• Less access to campus mental health resources

• Transition stress (environment, relationships, routines)

Warning Signs to Notice:

• Consistent low mood or anxiety for 2+ weeks

• Sleep disruption (much more or less than usual)

• Loss of interest in things you typically enjoy

• Difficulty functioning in work or relationships

• Thoughts of self-harm

• Increased substance use to cope

If you're experiencing these, reach out for support. Don't wait until fall.

Finding Support in Summer

If You're Home:

• Look for therapists in your hometown

• Use your school's telehealth counseling if available

• Connect with trusted adults (family, friends' parents, mentors)

• Use crisis resources if needed

If You're at School/Elsewhere:

• Check if summer counseling services are available

• Consider telehealth therapy

• Use employee assistance programs if working

• Reach out to me for continued coaching

Making the Rest of Summer Count

You have about six weeks left. What would make this time feel worthwhile?

Some Ideas:

• One meaningful goal (learn something, create something, improve something)

• One relationship to invest in (reconnect with someone)

• One new experience (doesn't have to be big or expensive)

• One habit that would benefit the fall semester (sleep schedule, exercise, reading)

Pick what resonates with you. Ignore the rest.

Preparing Mentally for Fall

It's not too early to start thinking about the fall semester:

Questions to Reflect On:

• What worked for my mental health last year? What didn't?

• What support do I need in place before school starts?

• What am I anxious about for the fall?

• What am I looking forward to?

• What do I want to do differently this year?

Actions You Can Take Now:

• Schedule counseling intake for fall (waitlists can be long)

• Reach out to disability services if you need accommodations

• Connect with friends about housing/roommate situations

• Start gradually adjusting the sleep schedule toward school-year timing

Social Media Boundaries

If summer social media is making you feel worse:

• It's okay to take a break

• Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger comparison

• Remember: everyone curates their online presence

• Your ordinary summer is enough

Give Yourself Credit

You're getting through summer. That counts as an accomplishment, especially if:

• You're working

• You're navigating difficult family dynamics

• You're managing mental health challenges

• You're taking classes

• You're dealing with uncertainty about the future

Summer doesn't have to be perfect to be successful.

Let's Connect

If you need support navigating the rest of summer, or want to start planning for fall semester mental health, reach out. I'm here.

Best wishes, Debby ------

Debby Couture, M.A., CMHC Mental Health Coach & College Student Success Coach | collegemindspodcast@gmail.com | https://www.collegemindspodcast.com/