Summer is a great time for students to get ahead of themselves and do some really important work. Whether it’s working on extra credit, or catching up on past school work, there are tons of productive things you can do this summer break.
The following list contains a handful of super-effective ways students can use this time to their advantage by being productive and staying organized.
Retake Some Tests
If you think you failed a test or didn’t do as well as you could’ve, why not retake it? Even if the school year is over and grades have been submitted, it can’t hurt to redo some work. Retaking tests is a great way to improve your scores and grades in the next school year.
If you are especially motivated, this is a great way to do some early studying for next year’s course. Raising your grades also means a better GPA for college, which means a better chance at getting into an even better college, so it’s a good thing to make the most of your summer break and get ahead of the curve.
Learn Another Language
If you want to learn another language, this is a great time to do it. If you didn’t take any foreign language classes in school then you’re in luck since there are plenty of free resources on the internet that will teach you at your own pace using flashcards, audio files, etc. There are even apps out there that can help with pronunciation and introduce new vocabulary words.
The more languages you know, the better your chances are when applying for jobs or if you want to travel anywhere outside your hometown. Language skills are also important for college and if you want to go into the STEM field. So if you were interested in technology, science, engineering, or mathematics, knowing at least one foreign language will help you on your way.
Start Exercising Regularly
If you know immediately that this is something you want to do, then start exercising now. If not, start thinking about it and set your mind on the goal of getting fit. You don’t need to exercise constantly or go into some crazy routine (unless you like that sort of thing) but try starting with eating healthy foods and incorporating exercise three times a week.
Once it becomes a habit, you can choose to exercise more if you want, but keep in mind that too much of anything is never good, so make sure not to overexert yourself either. Exercise has many benefits such as cardiovascular health which mean stronger heart muscles, lower cholesterol levels, weight loss if desired, improved mood because endorphins help with anxiety plus a better sense of self-esteem.
Start A Hobby/Learn A New Activity
If you always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, this is a great time to start. You don’t need formal lessons as long as you have the patience and the willingness to keep learning. Or if you like art, scrapbooking or drawing could be good for you.
If those sorts of things aren’t your thing then try taking up a sport such as tennis which can help improve reflexes and coordination, and it’s a blast once you get into it. Other than exercising, hobbies are really fun ways of making yourself happy and maybe even meeting new friends who share similar interests, so why not give something old or new a chance? It’s the best way of having fun while learning new skills at the same time.
Study For College/A-Levels/University Entrance Exams
Now that all the distractions of school life are gone, this is a great time to study for college entrance exams, A-levels, or any other exam you’ll have to take for you to attend college. If you find yourself struggling with understanding what’s being taught in class, now is the time where you can dedicate more of your free time towards studying so that come spring/summertime, colleges won’t be judging your knowledge solely on grades but also on tests scores.
This is also a great time if you want to learn some new academic material since it’s usually easier during the summer when there are no timetables, and you don’t need to worry about fitting everything into one school year.
Take a Pre-University Summer Course
This is one of the best ways to gain university credit while you’re still in high school, but also a great way of learning more about a specific subject or topic. Many universities offer summer courses where you can either learn from their tutors about a specialized topic or take one of their actual college courses.
So if you are interested in becoming a doctor, you can spend your summer at a medical school and learn more about that subject matter and what it’s like to be a doctor first-hand. This is an excellent way of preparing for university and discovering what you’re going to be learning in the next few years.
Find a Summer Job
Even if it’s just something seasonal, a summer job is at least good for some extra spending money and experience. You can work at a summer camp, amusement park, or even get a job in retail. It doesn’t have to be something grand, but being able to earn money for yourself is always beneficial.
Plus, finding a summer job is an excellent way to learn time management skills and how to be more responsible since work usually requires learning new things, meeting deadlines, and showing up on time. It’s also a way of making new friends and getting out of your comfort zone.
Do Some Volunteering/Community Service
If you’re in a generous mood, you can always volunteer/do some community service. There are lots of volunteer opportunities out there besides the local soup kitchen or animal shelter. You can either do something specific for your community such as helping underprivileged children learn to read or tutor people learning English as a foreign language, or you can travel and do something more global such as volunteering at a local school, teaching English, or some other second language, etc.
Volunteering is great because it enriches our society and helps others, but it also benefits yourself since it makes you feel better about yourself and gives you valuable experience, especially if you think about applying for jobs where they ask for “extras” on your resume. It can be very rewarding for both you and your community.
Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, finding a summer job, improving your grades, so you’ll have more chance for college acceptance, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself and spend your summer doing something you love. With all these possibilities, you will surely find something that suits you and allows you to have fun, balance your time, and be productive all at once.
