The last weeks of the spring semester are typically spent studying for final exams and stressing over group projects. But they are also filled with the daydreams of all the ways you’ll be able to use your free time in summer: getting to work on your own hobbies and skills, for example.
Of course, when the peak of summer rolls around, many find themselves in a slump they can’t seem to get out of. Once the exciting prospect of summer freedom wears off, the boredom sets in.
If you don’t have a summer internship or summer job to keep you busy, your outlook on summer can start to seem bleak. Here are some ways you can keep your mind sharp and challenge yourself to make the most out of your summer break.
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1. Job Hunt
Even if you don’t have a job this summer, it’s not too late to find a temporary work opportunity or side hustle to keep yourself busy and earn a little pocket money. Find a service that you can offer people– like dog walking or house sitting.
Print out copies of your CV and hand them out door to door around your city or town–it can’t hurt! Even if you don’t get hired right away, the connections you will make during your search can lead to opportunities in the future.
2. Volunteer
Get involved in your community by seeking out volunteer opportunities in your area. This is not only a great way to spend your days, but also valuable experience you can showcase on your resume down the road.
Related Read: Online Volunteering: How and Where to Volunteer Virtually
3. Explore New Places
This is a great way to get out of the house and spend time in nature. Just walking around a new part of your neighborhood already boosts your mood and can spark creativity, as well as provides a long list of additional health benefits.
4. Teach Yourself a New Skill
Have you ever wanted to be good at drawing or Adobe Photoshop? How about a subject you struggle with in school or computer coding? Find tutorials online from resources like Skillshare or Domestika.
A free option is YouTube where you can find tutorials on how to do literally anything. Set goals for yourself and practice the skill daily. By the end of the summer, you’ll have a whole new set of skills to show off.
Related Read: 10+ Best College Tips & Advice to Improve Your University Experience
5. Make a Summer Reading List
Reading is a classic pastime – and with good reason. Once you feel your brain rot just a little bit from all of the Netflix binging, reading is a wonderful and relaxing alternative form of entertainment that keeps your mind sharp.
Compile a list of books you want to read by the end of summer, and cross each one off as you go – because nothing is more satisfying than crossing tasks off your to-do list. There are thousands of summer reading lists online so that you can find the genres, authors, and stories that most interest you.
6. Stay Active: Work on Your Fitness Goals
Get in your recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day. If you enjoy sports, find a local sports team to join as an extracurricular activity. Other options include taking a daily walk around your local park, a pilates lesson on youtube, and getting a gym membership.
Set goals to make things interesting. Maybe you want to learn how to do the splits or train to participate in a marathon.
Related Read: 10+ Tips on How to Stay Healthy Studying or Working From Home
7. Discover New Music and Make Your Own Playlists
Not only is this a fun and time-consuming activity, but there are also professional playlist curators who get paid for making playlists! Expanding your music taste while simultaneously making a potential portfolio for a career in playlist curation doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
8. Develop Your Personal Style
When you look good, you feel good. Make a habit to wake up every morning and, whether you’re going out or not, make it a point to discover new ways to wear the clothes in your closet.
You can learn a lot about your personal style by doing this, and the best part is getting to show up to school in the fall with a completely elevated sense of style. Additionally, making mood boards is a fun digital collage activity that can further spark inspiration, and be very aesthetically pleasing.
Related Read: 5 Great Online Personality Tests to Take to Better Understand Yourself
9. Become an Expert on a Foreign Topic
With the world’s information at our fingertips, use the internet to do deep research on a topic that interests you as an alternative to mindless scrolling on social media.
Perhaps you’d like to brush up on art history or discover the process behind creating your favorite videogame. Aside from the internet, you can also visit your local library and find books about your topic of interest.
10. Meditate
To achieve an overall sense of groundedness, every person should include meditation in their daily routine. Summer is the perfect time to start implementing this practice since you typically have a less busy routine.
Once you take the time to establish a daily meditation practice, you can take this mindfulness tool with you into the school year and reap the benefits of managing anxiety. Meditating can be challenging at first, but starting with just five minutes a day can make a huge impact on your mental health, self-esteem, and wellbeing.
Give it a shot!
Related Read: 10+ Best Test Anxiety Tips & Advice to Reduce Quiz and Exam Stress
Final Words
Summer break can be challenging when your days lack structure. We hope this list has provided you with a few time-consuming yet skill-building activities to fill your summer schedule.
The best way to stay committed to teaching yourself new skills is to track your progress. Use a physical journal or digital planner to keep track of your daily efforts towards your goals.
Thank you for reading! Did our list inspire you to try a new activity? Leave your feedback and ideas in the comments below! For more inspiration, download the Goodwall app and see how young people across the globe are developing their skills this summer. Hope to see you there!