After a long year of studying, completing assignments and sitting for examinations, students deserve a break. Thus, the summer holidays are always a great time for one to sit back and relax a little. However, summer break is usually around three months long, and some students might feel a little restless, especially since they suddenly do have a lot of free time on their hands. It may even get a little boring in the long run. It is important for students to use their summer break wisely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean just going through pre-readings, doing research or studying content meant for the next academic year. After all, students should be able to learn and pick up other skills outside of their academic resources. Instead, students can use this prolonged period of time to explore new hobbies, perhaps take up some extra courses and catch up with their loved ones.
Sometimes, students find themselves so focused on their studies throughout the academic year that they forget how to have fun. Their focus is shifted towards doing well in their studies, to such an extent that they don’t quite know what to do or how to have fun when the summer break comes. Taking a break is vital for one to discover who they really are, and who they really want to become.
For instance, perhaps students can start out by figuring out their hobbies, such as what they enjoy watching for entertainment, especially on social media or even the type of movie genres. Trying out new hobbies can also be another way of discovering what you really like. Perhaps students will even learn another side of themselves, such as picking up a sport they disliked when they were younger, or realizing that they do enjoy gaming. The whole idea is to simply just experiment. Through giving things a chance, students might even form new connections with others who share similar interests, or even just make existing connections deeper.
Students can also apply for summer school, an option being offered by many universities, where students are able to learn more about other courses outside their degree. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their minds, especially if a science student takes up an Arts module, and vice versa. Not only will students be learning about something completely different from their usual coursework, but this extended knowledge gained can contribute to one’s future when they begin working. Having taken up summer school will add bonus points to one’s resume, making students seem more employable to businesses and companies.
Applying for part-time jobs, internships or even volunteer work may seem to be a rather terrifying idea at first, especially if students have a lack of experience in creating a resume, going for interviews or being in a workplace setting. The prospect of having to step into something completely new, sometimes viewed as the “adult-world”, may feel intimidating. However, students must understand that they are not expected to be perfect, for part of picking up part-time jobs or going into an office as an intern is meant for students to learn from the experience.
When it comes to creating a resume, students can go to their family, lecturers or university counselor for guidance. They can also look online for samples, but it really falls back to students staying true to their authentic selves in their resume, just a more professional manner. As for interviews and being in a workplace setting, students must learn to calm their nerves during the entire process. Yes, it is incredibly nerve-wrecking, but remember being overly-anxious will only affect you negatively. Working, be it for a part-time job, internship or volunteering, is meant to develop one’s skills. Therefore, even if students find themselves asking a large number of questions, feeling confused or making mistakes, know that it is completely normal.
All in all, students must have a healthy work-life balance. The summer break is quite literally meant to be a break, but students must also figure out how to use the time without wasting it. Developing a sense of self is extremely important, especially for university students, seeing that they are mostly young adults still trying to get a grasp on what they want from life. Catch up with your family and friends, mess around a little, find enjoyment in working and take some time off to be alone. The holidays are, after all, a stepping stone meant for self-discovery.