Things to do on your summer holiday
~Advice and ideas from a future physicist~
For me, the summer holiday is the perfect time to do things that I may not have time for during the term. Now, there are the classic things that almost *need* to be done, namely:
Tidy or redecorate your room - get some new bedding, cushions, a throw; rearrange some furniture; get some storage to clear up the mess and organise your life; get a plant, art, or maybe even paint the walls in a new colour. Freshening up your room/ space will freshen up your mind! Even small changes can make a big difference.
I moved my bookshelf and got two new orchids for the windowsill.
Read - this is a classic, but truly essential. A book, a newspaper or even a magazine. You local library is a treasure-house.
I use the summer to catch up on my National Geographic magazines.
Learn something new - start on a new language, a sport, coding, or learn to paint. Pick up a non-fiction book or use the internet to research a topic that interests you or something you know nothing about. Find answers to questions you may have. Get driving lessons.
Recently I went to an art shop and bought some oils paints, which is something I’ve never used before. I sit in the garden and paint, even though so far all of my work looks hideous. I’m also planning on researching Greek gods, types of trees and flowers, and maybe bird calls! Hopefully I’ll get round to learning coding too.
Sort out your clothes - have a look through your wardrobe and give away or sell your old, worn out clothes and those that you simply don’t wear anymore. Think about why you don’t wear certain pieces - maybe you need to get something else to complete an outfit? You can reuse fabric from old clothes, or try up-cycling and mending pieces. Work on your personal style.
I got my old sewing box out and sewed up lots of holes and rips, and I used old fabric to make myself a pretty little pouch that keeps my bag organised.
Get out of the house! Here are some ideas:
Eat lunch at your local park and sit there with a good book
Art gallery or museum - look at free or special exhibitions
Go on a day trip to a different town or city
Cycle to and around a big park
Do your exercise outdoors or try an outdoor sport - jogging, tennis, badminton, etc.
Cinema, theatre, concerts
Get in touch and meet up with old friends you haven’t seen in a while
Do sightseeing and touristy things in your hometown
Go to a spa, the swimming pool or the gym
Ask your parents/ flatmates if they need anything and the shops or any errands done and get/do it for them
Write letters to someone! (You can at least walk to the post office).
Spend time with your siblings - do your favourite childhood activity together, have a picnic, or just go for a walk and chat. I like to take my little brother and sister to the park, cycle with them or treat them to something in a cafe.
!!Only buy enough groceries for a day or two - this really helps me get my lazy butt up and walking to the shops, or else I’ll be hungry!!
You can do lots of these things by yourself or with a friend for company. If you look around you can always find free things to do or great deals on tickets. Always ask if the venue does a student discount!
My main theme for this summer is to *find inspiration* and be creative, which I don’t get to do a lot as a physics student. I suggest you also give the following a go:
Art - go to galleries and exhibitions. Get a pencil and paper and sit down to draw anything. Stick your paintbrush in some paint and see where the strokes take you on a bit of canvas. It doesn’t have to be perfect or beautiful, nobody else has to see it. Just express yourself! Don’t give up on the first try either and learn to accept things as they are. It is great way to relieve stress and thus take care of yourself, and you never know there might be an artist hiding inside!
Crafts - sewing, knitting, crochet... origami, card making, calligraphy... you can learn a new skill or brush up on some old ones. I like to do paper crafts whilst listening to a good podcast.
Get out in nature - explore the green spaces in your city/ town or get out into the countryside around you.
Mood boards - these can be for anything! You can get to cutting a glueing bits from magazines, or make electronic ones.
Learn and do something new - as I mentioned before!
Cooking - buy or borrow a new recipe book, flick though it, and be inspired! Do food shops in places that inspire you - I love a good market or stall, and shops that sell more unusual and unique items like WholeFoods, Waitrose and even M&S are a great source of inspiration. I love combining different ingredients and experimenting with new flavours. You can often find free recipe magazines in supermarkets.
Gardening - I find that at least keeping a few plants on my windowsill and desk can really brighten the atmosphere, and I love looking after them and watching them grow.
Summer is a great time to take care of yourself
- your body, physical and mental health, skin, hair, etc. Maybe you could develop a new skincare routine, get a haircut, do your nails, scrub or dry brush your body regularly, and practise mindfulness.
Also, reading up on lecture notes for modules you’ll have next year might not be the most fun thing to do, but it can give you a little head start and make it easier for you to study once term starts, if you’re up to it.
Another great way to pass the time, learn new skills and earn a bit of money is to get a part time job! It’ll be great for your future as you’ll have something on your CV, and the money can be spent on developing yourself in the ways I’ve mentioned :)) I got a part time job, and will post some tips for you soon.
If all else fails, just sit there and drink water! Hydrate those cells!!
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