It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is just around the corner, and a glorious summer is so close you can smell it. Best of all, exams are over and school’s done and dusted for another year! Once you’ve all finished victory dancing, however, you might find yourself asking ‘now what?’ After working hard all year, students might experience a bit of Freedom Paralysis* (*a technical term I just made up). What to do with all this sweet, sweet free time now that you’ve got it? Lucky for you, we’ve gathered together a list of our best ideas for summer and Christmas activities to keep you busy these holidays.
Playing a sport is the perfect way to take advantage of the good weather. Exercise and time outside are both proven to be mood boosters. It can be as simple as just running around in the park with friends, or you can join a club. Sports are a great means to stay fit and be social at the same time. Most sports cost very little to get involved in and can provide hours of fun and lifelong friendships. It’s also great to have some hidden talent to break out on the cricket field, if your family considers beach cricket to be one of the essential Christmas activities.
Love learning, but on your own terms, and in your own time? Holidays are a great chance to add to your already long list of skills. You can learn to play an instrument (they make great Christmas presents!), or learn a language. Or perhaps it’s time to take up that hobby you’ve always been interested in. Pottery is SO in right now. Crafting lends itself well to Christmas activities too. You could make your own ornaments, or give homemade gifts. The options are endless! If you can’t afford a class, or just want to teach yourself, there are plenty of online tools to help. YouTube tutorials or platforms like Duolingo are great places to start.
School terms can get busy, so this is a great time to reconnect with people you didn’t see much during the school term. Even Christmas shopping is more fun with company, so grab a friend to help you find a Secret Santa for Aunty Mabel. Many cities have free activities and festivals going on over summer, which is a great excuse to pack a picnic! And of course, Christmas is a time for family traditions, the old and new, the silly and the sentimental. So get right into those classic Christmas activities! Bake the cookies, decorate the tree and fight over games of Monopoly.
Summer is the best time to be outdoors. Most of your school term is spent in a classroom, so use your newfound freedom to remember what the sun feels like! Enjoy the beautiful scenery around your hometown or country, which we don’t always take the time to appreciate. Imagine you were taking a tourist around your home, and what you’d want to show off to them. You might want to go for a hike, spend a day at the beach, or visit a natural park.
I know, I know, after all my talk about sweet freedom, now I’m suggesting more work? But, hear me out. It’ll be worth it. A summer job is a great way to gain work experience, meet new people, and earn a bit of extra cash. Volunteering or doing an internship are also great options.
It can be frustrating when you start looking for your first job and everyone seems to want previous experience. Volunteering is a great way to bulk out your CV and learn a lot at the same time. Universities and employers alike are always impressed with students who’ve been proactive and shown interest in their communities. The best thing about volunteering is that you can make a difference doing something that truly interests you. Animal shelters, environmental charities and humanitarian organisations are just a few examples of places that welcome volunteers.
Similarly, a summer job will give you valuable experience that will look good on your CV. Demand rises over summer for entry-level employees in retail and hospitality, which is perfect for students. You’ll be able to earn a bit of money, which will definitely come in handy over the holidays! You might even make new friends. It will also mean that finding a job when you leave school won’t be such a daunting task.
You may be lucky enough to have a clear idea of what field you want to get into once you leave school. If this is the case, getting an internship can be a huge advantage to getting your foot in the door. You will be able to learn skills that you can apply to future jobs and make contacts in your chosen industry.
Holidays are a time to do the things you enjoy. We think that, combined with plenty of relaxation, our list will help you make the most of your summer. Whether you’re learning a new skill, going hiking with friends, or doing Christmas activities with the family, we’re sure your holidays will be that much more fun!
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