As summer winds down, it has become a tradition where parents are once again excited for school to start.

This Promoter reporter remembers spending most of his lazy August days playing Nintendo or just watching TV.

Yes, summer brings hiking, biking, playing outside and family holidays, but by the end of the holidays, there's something missing.

It all comes back to seeing old friends and meeting new people on the first day of a new school year.

With school now in session in the Crowsnest Pass and region, kids are either nervously getting back into the swing of things or bemoaning once again sitting in their desk.

Just as cramming new material into our heads is important, find your own reason to further enjoy the school days.

Schools are an active learning environment. Those students who participate in activities, either during or after school want to further their learning.

Join a sports team; take time to volunteer; help within your school community. Push yourself to try new things, have new experiences and gain that drive to succeed.

Ask your teachers about opportunities within your school and if possible, create your own. The school year will be that much better if you create your own opportunities.

For those students moving up into new grades, it's nerve wracking, but also an exciting time in your lives.