After a whole term of lectures, seminars, exams and assignments, it’s finally time for a well-deserved break! While it may seem tempting at this point to relish the chance to sleep or scroll through social media for hours, this is the perfect time to build the best version of yourself. Here are five ways in which you can make the most of your school break.
1. Upskilling
School breaks are the best time to build the most in-demand skills for academia and beyond. With a rising reliance on technology, everyone is expected to have basic IT knowledge, data management and analysis skills. These include experience with coding languages, Microsoft suite and data management software like Stata or SPSS. You can also use this time to build a richer vocabulary, business communication skills or even creative and argumentative writing skills. LSE’s Digital Skills Lab has numerous resources that you can use to develop some of these skills.
2. Networking
A strong professional network can have a huge influence on your career. It helps you advance your career by being on top of the latest developments, opportunities and news in your industry. LSE provides you with the unique opportunity to interact the best minds in your field, so don’t waste it! Use breaks to connect with peers, faculty members and join inter-disciplinary groups. You can also use professional platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential employers, LSE alumni or people working in roles/industries of your interest.
3. Volunteering
Volunteering can help you boost your self-confidence and build better social skills. Doing good for the society is accompanied by a natural sense of accomplishment. Moreover, the world needs young people like you to participate in social causes. You can choose to work towards education, poverty, environment, public health and more. Watch out for opportunities with LSE’s Volunteer Centre or look for opportunities in your home country or around London.
4. Learning a new language
Learning a foreign language not only enhances your opportunities in international companies, government and business but it also improves your listening skills, vocabulary and memory. It lends perspective into a different culture, knowledge about other’s heritage, history and makes you a better fit for a multi-cultural environment. Take a look at the resources provided by the Language Centre to kick-start your journey into a new language.
5. Developing a new hobby
Breaks are a great time to learn something new or go back to what you enjoyed doing in the past. Use this time to be creative, to learn a new sport, instrument or art form, read a lot of books, start a blog or build a health regimen. Having a life outside academics lends a very important part to your personality, helps you build confidence, inter-personal and time management skills.
These are just some of the many ways that you can develop over the school break. With a little forethought, you can plan your breaks to make the best use of your most valuable commodity – time!
If you had any more ideas on how to make the most of your summer break, feel free to share by and comment down below!
Note: This article gives the views of the authors, and not the position of the Social Policy Blog, nor of the London School of Economics.
