Have you ever wondered why actors want you to say, “break a leg” instead of “good luck”? Well, you shouldn’t, because they’re actors. We’re talking about people who wear wigs and talk in British accents and call it a job. There’s no logic there.

So why bring it up? To make the point that sometimes “breaks” can be good. Like, for example, the break that starts tomorrow, your summer break from The Sean Adams University of Business Management Development Leadership. That’s right: your summer break. I’ll still be here, offering some non-business-related summer electives for anyone who’s interested (more on this next week). For the rest of you, here are a few tips to help you have a safe and productive break:

1. Summer is a great time to get outside and do active stuff like exercising. But it can also be really hot. That’s why it’s VERY IMPORTANT that you keep yourself hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water or sports beverages with electrolytes. (Important note: electrolytes are NOT the same thing as electricity. If someone hands you a drink that contains electricity, DON’T DRINK IT!)

2. Looking for something fun and enriching to do with your free time? Consider digging out a small plot in your front yard to plant a garden! Pro-tip: be sure to plant eye-catching plants like flowers and vegetables. If you just plant a bunch of grass, you run the risk of losing your garden in your lawn. Similarly, if you live in a densely populated urban area and don’t have a yard, you should try to avoid planting a garden that’s mostly sidewalk.  

3. Remember, the sun sets pretty late during the summer, so if you want to ride off into the sunset, start later, or else you’ll be riding for a really long time.
 
4. If you don't already have a house with a porch, the warm weather will definitely make you want one. But be careful! Real estate agents will often try to take advantage of porch-hungry homebuyers, so it’s important that you make sure what they say is a porch actually is a porch. Here’s a quick guide: “wrap-around porches” and “screened-in porches” are real porches, whereas “insulated sleeper porches” might turn out to be bedrooms, and a “sun-protected under-the-house porch” is probably just a basement.

5. The end of winter means that two creatures come out of hibernation: bears and mosquitos. Trying to fight either one of them on your own will prove to be too dangerous, so, to avoid harm, you’ll want to find a way to turn them against each other.

Have a great summer break, everyone! And for those who are sticking around, feel free to suggest a summer elective in the comments. It can be anything!