FOR students, the long summer holidays can be one of our greatest assets. Some of us choose to work over the summer to gain experience, or to help fund our studies, and some of us take time to relax. Although those of us in the UK can’t afford to be too optimistic and expect lots of sunshine, wherever we spend the summer break, it would be great if we could look back at the and see that we spent our long uni summer holiday doing something memorable rather than just scrolling through social media looking at what other people are doing… (anyone else guilty of this?)
Here are my ideas:
Learn a language
It’s amazing how easy learning the basics can be if you set aside an hour a day. If you want an app, both Duolinguo and Memrise offer a range of languages, such as Spanish, German, and even Icelandic if you really want a challenge. Watching films with subtitles, and reading books such as the Penguin Parallel text range, is another great way to learn. Once you’ve gained some confidence, try finding a talk exchange partner in your city, or maybe you could even consider a homestay abroad.
Spend time outdoors
Whether you’re lucky enough to spend the summer in a place with predictably good weather, or whether the British summer may throw a spanner in the works, spending time outside is a cheap, healthy way to pass your summer days. Even running, dancing or singing in the rain is quite magical! Find a dog to talk for a walk, explore the countryside, get lost. If you’re a thrill-seeker, plan a day at an outdoor adventure centre to try new things.
Volunteer
We’ve heard it all before, but it is true that giving up your time for someone else can be highly rewarding (and it can also help you in your future endeavours to find a job). From gardening to working with kids, there’s something out there for you. If you’re in the UK, try Do It to find opportunities in your area. If you’re in another part of the world, try googling for similar charities or organisations.
Master a new recipe (or three)
Forgive me for being presumptuous, but eating and drinking is surely a favourite activity of most people, and it’s even better when you’ve produced what’s on the table/in the glass. There are thousands of blogs and websites out there to inspire you, or just go with the flow and improvise! However it turns out, your mates will appreciate the effort and you’ll learn a skill to take back to uni.
Go to a festival - any kind!
Glastonbury has sadly been and gone, but there’s still plenty of festivals left this summer. As well as all the big names in music festivals, there are thousands of smaller local events throughout the world that won’t break the bank. Facebook can help a lot with seeking these out, you might be surprised what you find by searching upcoming events in your area. Don’t forget to consider other kinds of festivals; literary festivals, theatre festivals and comic con events all share a similar feeling of community.
Whatever the summer brings you, get out there, learn some new things and have fun whilst you’re at it. Come September this long summer will seem like just a distant memory, so make it a fond one.
