How to spend your summer break...

It's June already... can you believe it? Summer holidays are approaching faster and faster, some of you university students out there may have already finished for the academic year, and it won't be long until A Level and GCSE exams are over too. So, you may be thinking about how you're going to spend your time off...When I was in education, I was always one for a project. I didn't like the idea of having weeks off with no structure or purpose. I remember telling a family member I was planning to start a blog because I felt like I should be making the most of my time off. They looked a bit bewildered and told me that the point of a holiday is to relax and do nothing, and this is a valid point. If you want to just chill out and switch off during your break, go ahead and don't feel guilty. But if you want to be a little bit productive too, here are my ideas...

Start a blog
If you love writing, taking photos, or interacting with people online, start a blog. Don't worry about whether it will be popular. how many followers you'll get or if your friends will thinks it's weird, that's not important. Blogging is a great creative outlet and will most likely prompt you to get out and about to create content. You might even make some great online friends and having a blog is a great thing to add to your CV too - it's a win-win.

Explore your own country
During the summer months, we are bombarded by photos of people on glamorous beach holidays or backpacking around Asia. It seems the norm today to go travelling, but it's just not possible for all of us. In this travel obsessed world, I think many of us neglect our own countries. Pick a few towns, cities or attractions that are easy and cheap to get to, and act like a tourist in your home country. If you have a car, the possibilities are endless, but it's not necessary - public transport can be fantastic. If you're planning on lots of trips and are under 25, you might want to consider investing in a 16-25 railcard. This will get you a third off most train fares and only costs £30 a year. Day trips to unexplored places will give you great content opportunities if you do decide to make a blog too!

Embark on a creative project
If blogging isn't really your thing, there are many other platforms for you to showcase your creativity and ideas upon. Summer break is the ideal time for you to dedicate your energy to something you've been putting on the back burner during your studies. You could finally start writing that book you've been plotting in your mind for years, make a podcast or short film with friends, or even learn how to grow vegetables and plant flowers. With so much advice and information available at our fingertips today, you can teach yourself to do pretty much anything.

Volunteer
If you're a student who is looking step into the working world soon, your CV will be on your mind. Although blogging and other creative projects are fantastic to put down, you might want to consider doing some volunteering. Although it can seem like a large undertaking, volunteering is also very rewarding. Some good examples of charities you could work with are Age Uk and The Cinnamon Trust... the latter being a great option for you animal lovers out there!

Get a summer job
In a similar vein to volunteering, getting real work experience over the summer is great for padding out your CV and for getting references. Enquire at local cafes or shops, ask your friends and family if they know of any jobs going... or you could even do some babysitting for friends and family.

Whatever you decide to do this summer, stay safe, have fun and let us know what you're up to.

Jane 

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