Creating A Summer Plan for Teachers

Creating a Summer Plan for Teachers

Are you like me and think that this summer will be amazing? We think to ourselves — Look at all the free time I have! I can get so much done! Then the end of summer comes and I realize… I got nothing done and it feels like I just laid around all summer.

This has happened to me too many summers in a row.

And honestly? I’ve realized something important: it’s not a motivation problem. It’s a planning problem.

I actually want this summer to be different—the kind of summer where I rest and feel like I did the things I wanted to do. But for that to happen, there has to be a little bit of intention behind it. (Don’t worry—we’re not scheduling every second like the school year. This is still summer, after all.)

So let’s do this together.

Here’s how we can Create a Summer Plan that actually works.

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1. Brainstorm (a.k.a. the “Brain Dump Everything” Phase)

Start by writing down EVERYTHING you want or need to do this summer. No filtering. No organizing. Just brain dump it all out.

To help, I like to use a simple Summer Brainstorm List - Just start with blank paper.

If you’re making your own, here are some categories to spark ideas:

• Doctor & dentist appointments (the “let’s finally do this” list)
• Places you want to visit (even if it’s just a local ice cream shop you’ve been meaning to try 🍦)
• Books you want to read (pile them up like a personal summer library)
• Home projects (the “I’ve been staring at this wall for 3 years” category)
• School tasks (try not to cry, just a little planning here helps SO much)
• Fun things just for YOU (yes, these deserve a category!)
• Crafts or hobbies you’ve been wanting to try
• Recipes or baking experiments (banana bread season, anyone?)

Bonus ideas you might forget:

• Decluttering one small space (not your whole house—be realistic!)
• Digital cleanup (photos, emails, files)
• Friend catch-ups (coffee dates, walks, quick visits)
• “Do nothing” days (yes, this counts as a plan item!)

The goal here is simple: get it all out of your head so it stops floating around as mental clutter.

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2. Grouping (turn chaos into categories)

Now take that big messy list and sort it into groups.

This step is where everything starts to feel calmer.

Try grouping like this:

• Appointments & errands
• Home projects
• School-related tasks
• Personal growth (reading, hobbies, learning)
• Fun & social plans
• Rest & reset time

Why this matters: when everything is grouped, you can instantly see if something is missing. It also helps you avoid that classic summer problem of doing all the chores and accidentally forgetting all the fun.

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3. Calendar Time (but make it flexible)

Now comes the part that makes everything feel real: your calendar.

This doesn’t mean filling every square. It means giving your summer some gentle structure.

Here’s how I like to think about it:

✏️ Early Summer Energy

Do the “thinking” tasks first:

• School prep
• Bigger home projects
• Scheduling appointments

You’re still in that “teacher mode,” so ride the wave.

🌿 Mid-Summer Balance

This is the sweet spot:

• Mix errands with fun days
• Schedule one or two bigger outings per week
• Leave lots of blank space

☀️ Late Summer Ease-In

Start slowly shifting back:

• Light school prep
• Reset routines
• Organizing for the school year (without panic)

Important reminder:

Do NOT overpack your calendar. A fully scheduled summer is just the school year in disguise… and nobody wants that.

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4. Add “Anchor Days” Instead of Full Schedules

This is a game-changer.

Instead of planning every day, choose a few anchor ideas like:

• “Errand day”
• “Stay home and reset day”
• “Fun outing day”
• “Project day (2 hours max!)”

Everything else stays flexible around those anchors.

This gives structure without pressure.

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5. Build in Guilt-Free Rest (yes, schedule it)

Let’s talk about something teachers are not always great at: resting without feeling like we “should be doing something.”

So here’s your permission slip:

• Schedule lazy mornings
• Schedule do-nothing afternoons
• Schedule “watch trash TV and scroll your phone” time without shame

Rest is not what happens after everything is done.
Rest is part of the plan.

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6. Add a “Summer Fun List”

This is my favorite part.

Make a running list of things you want to do just because they sound fun:

• Try a new coffee shop
• Go on a sunset walk
• Have a backyard movie night
• Visit a bookstore and buy something just for you
• Do a random weekday ice cream run
• Start a fun hobby with no pressure to be good at it

This list keeps summer from becoming just “errands + chores in shorts.”

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7. Expect Life to Happen (and plan for it)

Because it will.

Things will pop up. Motivation will dip. Some days will be productive, others will be “why did I even leave the couch?” days.

That’s normal.

A summer plan isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction.

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8. Have an Amazing Summer (your version of it)

Creating a Summer Plan may not feel like the most exciting part of summer break, but it’s what helps you actually enjoy your time off instead of wondering where it all went.

And the best part? Your version of an “amazing summer” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

So tell me—what’s one thing you definitely want to make space for this summer?

By the way, if you liked this post, make sure to follow me on FACEBOOK to get more ideas and tips!