Exams are over. Classes are done. Vacation has started. What to do now!
And students are thinking to themselves, “Now what am I going to do with all of this free time?” Sure, there are games to play, movies to watch, and friends to hang out with.
But there are also plenty of productive things to do during the holidays. Let’s take a look together at how you can be productive in your semester break.
1.Contemplating on past and setting goals for upcoming semester :
No matter what you say, you need to study for a proper result, hence you need to maintain your cgpa for every semester by getting good grades. For getting a job or starting your new business,and if you are a college/university student, you need practical ideas for these unless you drop out! Since you are paying for your tuition fees, it’s only fair if you take your studies seriously.
However, in every semester break, list down how your performance was, what you did well or not well in the past semester as well as what you could have done differently in the recent semester. By asking yourself these questions, you will already know what you have to do in the upcoming semester.
Set process goals for the coming semester because process goals are far more effective. Write down again, what you can do differently for the upcoming semester.
2.Finding proper purpose:
Even the smallest action is the best if the purpose is good. Things that help others or make a good difference or reduce mental stress is a definition of proper purpose. For instance,
- Charity : What you don’t use anymore or some donation to the people who need it the most, can truly help them.
- Volunteering : It is dignified work as long as you are serving people for good.
- Part time jobs : Helping others on their work, working for yourself, in your free time is a part of this section.
- Exercising : It is indeed a good purpose since you are focusing on yourself. The exercise can be anything for example running, walking or bike riding.
” If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion it will lead you right into your purpose ”
– Bishop Jakes.
- Learning a new language:
Language is a tool of communication. Learning a second language can be a reason for advancing in your career. It’s proven that a bilingual or multilingual can do multitasking as well as it also increases one’s memory, creativity, and makes it easier to communicate with others. Some app can be :
- Duolingo
- Mondly
- Babbel
- Busuu
- Learning a new skill:
“As you learn new skills, you’ll discover more gifts about yourself and improve you confidence and sense of well being“ – Dennis Buttimer
A new hobby or skill can give you the motivation you need to get out of bed in the morning. If you engage in a new skill you will gain confidence and courage which will override your fear. It will bring you happiness as well as by consistently educating yourself new things, you’ll learn you’re capable of change and growth. Some skills that can be learn:
- Public speaking
- Cooking
- Painting
- Software skills
- Self Defense
- Getting a new job:
” Take a job for what you will learn, not for what you will earn”
Rather than thinking about pay, concentrate on how it will help you to gain experience. The best learning experience might just come in the form of an unpaid job or internship.
- Picking up a new hobby:
Most of the time we don’t like to work for a long time, do we!? You will get bored at some point during the vacation. Well, Explore yourself!! And find a new hobby be like :
- Photography
- Gardening
- Playing Instruments
- Explore and learn new things.
- Reconnecting with family and friends:
Since the exam is over and you have spent a busy week studying and had no time for anything else, even you didn’t see your family and friends for a while. If you stay far away from everyone, it’s even better. After you finish your exam, you can meet with your loved ones with whom you’ve not seen and spend a memorable vacation.
- Enrich vocabulary :
Enrichment of any language and not just English is important so that you can communicate and discuss important matters with any people. Additionally, a good stock of words always helps in enhancing communication, as well as writing.
Some website that can help you to enrich your vocabulary :
- Vocabulary.com
- EnhanceMyVocabulary
- Improving writing skill :
Writing is a great way to teach, inform, entertain one’s behavior and educate oneself. It is a form of communication that is necessary for education as well as for any profession. The clearer the communication is, the greater will be the chance of a high success rate.
“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.“
–Robert Frost
- Creating a personal blog or website :
This one is related to writing skill. Having a well written blog is like communicating with the world. Creating a blog will allow you to improve your skills as a storyteller as you create content driven by your life experiences and perspectives.
- Consulting with adults or mentor about career :
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” – Chris Grosser
It’s never too early to start thinking about your future career.
Reach out to your relatives, family friends, teachers, and neighbors. Ask them for some time and if they’d be willing to share their experiences and insights.
- Healthy habits:
“Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters”
-Nathaniel Emmons
A healthy life means good health and a sane mind. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important if you want to live a good long life. Here are a few habits which can help you in improving your lifestyle:
- Managing stress level
- Daily reflection
- Exercising
- Good dieting
- Regular sleep schedule
- Traveling:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
– Lao Tzu
Who doesn’t like to travel and how can you not learn anything while you are traveling? One of the greatest advantages of travel is that it takes you on a journey into new worlds that you would have never been exposed to. Not only this, you get to learn so many different cultures,people, places, new languages, and eat various cuisines. Traveling helps to relieve stress, discover yourself, create memories, the adventure and the pleasure that you get! So, don’t think so much, just get going because travel is indeed good for your well being.
- Typing skill :
Ever since computers became household items, there’s been an emphasis on typing speed. Whenever we are at work or need to do some work on time, we all want to be more productive in our work, and if we’re working in a team, we don’t want to slow them down. In this free time or vacation, increase your typing skill.
Can’t decide between all the tips? Of course, you don’t have to do everything at once. Some activities can easily be postponed to future semester breaks. All the best with your semester break!
Writer,
Fatema Tuz Zannat Oyshi
Content Writing Department
YSSE