Summertime holds the promise of all good things, and even though in Bombay we are launching into monsoon season it is still summer break for many students. School is out, and now is the time to plan fun activities and getaways from the city, which will be soaking for the next few months.
Whether it is chasing work experience or taking up a project, there are many interesting experiences for students to pursue this season that might be enriching and fun.
Try A Job
While it is easier to find an internship, a summer job can also be interesting. Full time positions are almost impossible to find without a college degree, but it is possible to find apprentice positions in certain fields while pursuing a full time degree. Even if it means working in a space outside of your academic pursuits for a small pay, it is worth taking up a job that will give you experience outside of what you are doing the rest of the year. Try to meet with employers that can offer paid positions, even if that means starting at the bottom of the food chain. Not only will a paid job come with added responsibility but also it is gratifying to receive monetary compensation for hard work.
Learn A Language
Many college and high school students will have at least a month or two off in the summer, that means lots of time to unwind and rest. It is important to blow off steam but too much free time can be boring. A lot of short-term classes are available to learn a new language, and summer break is the best time to pursue something fun and new. Enroll in a class for an hour a day or a couple hours a week, and that won’t take away too much time from relaxing and enjoying the summer break.
At the end of the summer it will give you a sense of accomplishment to have learned a new language (or at least made a start towards learning a new language).
Learning a new language also comes with great advantages like discovering a whole new world of cinema, finding a window to a new culture and maybe even a holiday to a country where the language is spoken, if you are lucky.
Find A Hobby
While learning a language might require a certain amount of dedication, it might be an easier option to take up a hobby that you always fantasized about but never had the time to fit in your schedule. It could be learning how to play an instrument, taking up pottery or anything else that may interest you. Not only will it be fun to learn but will also be a great addition to a college application or resume.
Make A Meal
One of the best things about adulthood is that at some point you must escape the comforts of home and create a home for yourself. Whether you have to make your own meals or not, it is an important skill to learn and the result is only for you to enjoy. It’s a skill that if mastered wont really seem like chore, and you don’t even have to enroll in an actual class to learn. A quick search on YouTube will display many results ranging from easy to ambitious and it could be a fun activity to try with a friend or a date.
Take Up A Project For A Good Cause
Volunteer work is great to pursue all year round. Especially in the summer it could be a great option to take up a project focused on a small or big goal- it could be making sure all the stray dogs and cats in your neighborhood are vaccinated, hosting a fundraiser for a cause that is important to you or working with a local NGO to get involved in an ongoing project. It is always great to see your efforts come full circle and it most definitely will make positive impact in the community.
Extra Credit
After a year of hard work it is important to relax before diving into the new academic year. For students that may find themselves lagging behind in certain areas, summer break is a great time to catch up. Whether it means taking a few hours to work alone or with a tutor to iron out problems in coursework, or a great time to pick up extra credit assignments (if your college/university allows it) or even just sharpen up skills that might help in future classes, it helps to spend a little free time sharpening up for the upcoming year.
Get Away
A good holiday is a summer staple, but aside from a vacation you’d normally take, try taking a trip that you wouldn’t normally opt for. It could be a solo holiday if you are so inclined or a trip with friends to a place you wouldn’t normally think to visit. Domestically or internationally, travelling on a student’s budget has never been simpler. With Airbnb, travel websites and so many other resources, planning a spontaneous holiday could be the highlight of the summer.
