Questions To Ask Instead Of "How Was Your Summer?" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Questions To Ask Instead Of "How Was Your Summer?"

It's time to get real.

5649
Questions To Ask Instead Of "How Was Your Summer?"
Damaris Wyand

As the new school year begins, many of us are reunited with friends that we haven’t seen since last semester. Although the summer months likely held many new adventures and experiences, we only ask the broad question of “how was your summer?” Unfortunately, most people simply reply with one sentence. In order to get to the heart of the moments that set the tone for the summer, we need to start asking different questions. Settle in and get ready. Here are a few ideas to spark meaningful conversations.

What was your favorite memory from this summer?

This question will give you the highlight of the summer. Asking for a memory provides a snapshot of the moment that mattered to your friend. Likewise, you will get to hear a story told with excitement. Whether your friend recounts their experience of playing with children on a mission trip, to standing at the top of a mountain that they hiked, they will be excited to talk about it. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the passion in someone’s eyes as they describe something that brought them joy.

What was the hardest thing about your summer?

This question will give deeper insight into the experience of the summer. While the highlights and the fun times might have popped up on Facebook, chances are that the really hard stuff isn’t the first thing shared. Asking about the hard things will encourage honesty about the things that sucked too. From this honesty a deeper level of friendship will be established going forward.

What did you learn over the summer?

This question really gets to the heart of the matter. Most of us are less interested in the activities and more interested in how the activity affected our friend. Asking someone what they learned opens up the door to hear what has changed their life and how they are different as a result of what they did. For many, this will also be an opportunity to share how their summer impacted their walk with Christ. Summers are often a time to take mission trips. Those experiences often permanently change perspectives. Ask about it.

How did you feel about that? (a follow-up question)

Perhaps one of my favorite questions these days. Someone can recount their summer from a logical place and leave out their feelings, “Oh, I went on a vacation with my family and we got to see the Eiffel Tower.” Asking how they felt about it will open up the emotional side as well. Maybe they loved the Eiffel Tower, maybe they hated being with their family. You won’t know until you ask. There’s deeper emotion behind every logically answered question.

So there you have it. Questions to bring real conversation about how everyone’s summer was. While you won’t have time to ask everyone, making things more specific will bring a deeper understanding of your friend and their summer. They’ll appreciate the opportunity to share what really matters. You’ll gain a deeper connection, and that’s what it’s all about.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
singing
Cambio

Singing is something I do all day, every day. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. If I feel like singing, I'm going to. It's probably annoying sometimes, but I don't care -- I love to sing! If I'm not singing, I'm probably humming, sometimes without even realizing it. So as someone who loves to sing, these are some of the feelings and thoughts I have probably almost every day.

Keep Reading...Show less
success
Degrassi.Wikia

Being a college student is one of the most difficult task known to man. Being able to balance your school life, work life and even a social life is a task of greatness. Here's an ode to some of the small victories that mean a lot to us college students.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

6 Signs You're A Workaholic

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

196
workaholic
kaboompics

After turning 16, our parents start to push us to get a job and take on some responsibility. We start to make our own money in order to fund the fun we intend on having throughout the year. But what happens when you've officially become so obsessed with making money that you can't even remember the last day you had off? You, my friend, have become a workaholic. Being a workaholic can be both good and bad. It shows dedication to your job and the desire to save money. It also shows that you don't have a great work-life balance. Here are the signs of becoming a workaholic.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Life Lessons For The Camp Counselor
madison miller

Spending five, 10 or even more weeks in the outdoors leading elementary to high school aged kids for a week at a time is unique, to say the least. You see things in yourself you didn't think were there and experience emotions you can not explain. What you learn is valuable for more than just camp, but extends to life after the summer.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

1702
college life
Google Images

Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.

1. Eat

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments