20 Very Important Things University Students Should Do During the School Break

Let’s talk about highly productive things university students can do during the school break. Finally, Exams are over at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the school’s out. The thousands of Abusites around the world are now thinking to themselves, “Now what am I going to do with all 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 school holidays.

Below is a list of 40 meaningful things to do during a school break.

20 Productive Things University Students Can Do During the School Break

#1. Reflect on the semester gone by

Take out a sheet of paper and answer these three questions:

What did I do well in the past semester? What did I not do so well in the past semester? What will I do differently in the coming semester?

#2. Set process goals for the coming semester.

This is a follow-up to Point #1.

Set process goals for the coming semester instead of performance goals, because process goals are far more effective.

What’s the difference between the two types of goals? Process goals are what you intend to do, while performance goals are what you intend to achieve. Here’s an example.

Performance goal: Get an A for math next semester.

Process goal: Do three extra math questions every day after dinner.

By setting process goals, you’re more likely to take action than if you only set performance goals. So take some time and set 5 to 10 process goals for the coming semester.

#3. Watch educational YouTube videos.

In this digital era, you can find a video tutorial or documentary on virtually all topics and subjects for free online. A simple search on Google is all you need. You can also watch thousands of high-quality documentaries for free at Documentary Heaven.

#4. Get a part-time job.

Don’t worry too much about what the job will pay. As the saying goes, “Take a job for what you will learn, not for what you will earn.” This is especially true when it comes to school holiday jobs. The best learning experience might just come in the form of an unpaid job or internship.

#5. Find a cause you care about.

The school holidays are a good time to give back. Find a cause you care about and start thinking of ways to support that cause. It could be a Volunteer opportunity. Find a practical way to serve and contribute. You could volunteer to clean up a place of worship, help out at a nursing home or orphanage, etc

#6. Improve your physical health.

You have more time during the school holidays. So this is a great opportunity to start sleeping well, exercising regularly, and eating healthily.

#7. Learn a new skill.

You could learn skills like…

Public speaking
Cooking
Drawing
Self-defense
Negotiation
Listening
Positive thinking

#8. Read. Yes, Jak a little

I know that the majority of abusites will not agree with me on this one. I understand you just finish exams and definitely don’t want to be reminded about the TDB. But trust me your abusite brain can still make do with one or two articles or even a book. I strongly recommend that you read at least one book.

#9. Visit a museum or a historic site

A trip to a museum or any historical site around will make you more knowledgeable, and you’ll probably leave feeling inspired too.

#10. Learn to manage your money.

Money management is a valuable life skill. Most abusites are having economic challenges in school today not because they are not getting enough financial support but because they lack basic money management skills.

#11. Pick up a new hobby.

You will probably feel bored at some point during the school holidays. That’s the time to pick up a new hobby like…

Juggling
Gardening
Dancing
Photography
Stargazing

#12. Visit a nearby college or university.

When you visit a college or university campus, you will feel a sense of excitement. Colleges and universities are so full of youth, passion, knowledge, and potential.

This school holiday, visit one in your area. Learn about the courses and programs offered, and get a feel for the campus culture. You might just leave the campus with a clearer vision of your future plans and goals.

#13. Achieve an athletic goal.

Work toward a specific athletic goal. Here are some examples:

Do 15 pull-ups in 30 seconds
Do 50 push-ups in 1 minute
Do 60 sit-ups in 1 minute
Run a mile under 7 minutes
Hold a plank for 2 minutes

#14. Reconnect with friends and family members.

Reconnect with friends and family members whom you didn’t get to spend much time during the school term. At the very least, send them a text or give them a call to show them that you’re thinking of them.

#15. Learn about a country or place you don’t know much about.

The world is a fascinating place filled with fascinating countries and cities. This school holiday, take some time to learn about the history and culture of a country or place you aren’t familiar with.

#16. Improve your vocabulary and writing skills.

Students’ success in school and life is linked to the size of their vocabulary, the research indicates. I’m sure you want to be successful, so work on improving your vocabulary.

More so, writing skills are important for academic success, and they’re even more important for career success. So work on your writing skills this school holiday.

#17. Develop healthy habits.

Nathaniel Emmons once said, “Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters.“

These are possible habits to develop this school holiday:

Daily reflection
Reading for 15 minutes before bed
Keeping a gratitude journal
Getting on a regular sleep schedule
Drinking more water

#18. Increase your reading speed.

The faster you read, the faster you learn.

#19. Talk to as many adults as possible about career options.

It’s never too early to start thinking about your future career. Reach out to your relatives, family friends, teachers, and neighbors. Ask them if they’d be willing to share their experiences and insights. Set a goal for this school holiday of talking to at least one adult a week about career options.

#20. Find a mentor.

A good mentor will help you become more self-aware, make better decisions, and find long-term success.

Abusites: The bottom line

It’s impossible to do all 20 things described in this article. Besides, I know you also want to have plenty of fun this school holiday. So don’t feel overwhelmed. Instead, develop a realistic plan. As you follow your plan, I’m confident that you’ll have a meaningful, productive, and fun-filled school holiday!

Written by Daniel Wong