Dear students: Have fun, but stay safe this summer

After months of waking up early, studying for tests and sitting through lessons, every student deserves time to relax. Summer is a reward for hard work and it should be enjoyed. This is the season to create memories. Visit your grandparents or relatives you have not seen in a while. Organize football matches with friends, play basketball, go cycling, have family picnics, explore different parts of the country, enjoy the beach, attend community events or simply spend quality time with the people you love. These are the moments that often become the stories we remember years later. Being active during the holidays is also good for your health. Running around with friends, playing sports, dancing, walking and spending time outdoors are all good for both the body and the mind. Not every enjoyable activity has to involve a mobile phone or a television screen. One place many families and young people will visit this summer is the beach. The Gambia is blessed with a beautiful coastline and there is nothing better than enjoying a cool afternoon by the sea.But while the beach is a place for fun, it is also a place where everyone must be careful. If you are going swimming, always make sure a lifeguard is on duty or that responsible adults can clearly see you. Never swim alone, never go deeper than you can handle, and never let excitement make you forget about safety. The same advice applies to swimming pools. No holiday is worth risking your life. Parents also have an important responsibility during the school break. With children spending more time outside the home, it is important to know where they are, who they are with and when they are expected back. A simple phone call, regular check-in or conversation before they leave the house can prevent unnecessary worry and help keep them safe. Summer should also be a time to build friendships, not get into trouble. Choose friends who encourage you to make good decisions. Stay away from violence, drugs, dangerous stunts and activities that could put your future at risk. One poor decision can change a life forever.  The holidays are also a good opportunity to discover new interests. Learn to cook, take photographs, try gardening, volunteer in your community, learn graphic design, practise public speaking, improve your computer skills or start a small business. You never know which hobby could become a future career. And while the holidays are meant for fun, don't let your brain go completely on holiday. You don't have to spend hours studying every day. Simply reading a few pages of a good book, a newspaper like The Point of course, a magazine or an interesting article every now and then is enough to keep your mind active. Challenge yourself to learn something new each week. Knowledge has a way of opening doors when you least expect it. Social media and video games are part of modern life, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying them. But balance is important. Try not to spend every waking hour looking at a screen. Make time for conversations, outdoor activities, family, exercise and real-life experiences. Some of the best memories are made away from a phone. Parents can also make this holiday more meaningful by involving their children in everyday life. Teach them simple responsibilities at home, encourage them to read, allow them to help with cooking or shopping and spend quality time talking to them. These moments build confidence, strengthen family bonds and teach valuable life skills that no classroom can fully provide. Summer is not just a break from school. It is an opportunity to grow in different ways. It is a chance to laugh more, explore more, learn more and appreciate the people around us.   When schools reopen, the goal should not simply be to return rested. Students should return with new experiences, new friendships, new skills and a fresh mind ready for another academic year.   So, to every student across The Gambia, enjoy your summer holiday. Play, travel, laugh, explore and make unforgettable memories. Stay safe, look out for one another and remember that the best holidays are the ones where everyone returns home safely.