It may only be the beginning of January, but trust me: the dreaded textbooks and everlasting tutorials are slowly creeping up on us. What have you done these summer holidays so far? Could you utilise your free time more? Here are a few tips to make the most of the next two months before studies start up again.
1. Kick start your new year’s resolutions
How good are you at sticking to your yearly goals? If you’re anything like me, it tends to be a struggle. The trick is to make a routine as early as you can – don’t wait for uni to come back. By doing that now, you’ll find sticking to those new goals much easier, especially if you focus on daily steps to reach them. By the time your studies start, you’ll be a pro at maintaining your new priorities.
Want to get more fit? Stop procrastinating with that gym membership and just do it. The holidays are the best time to start!
2. Limit your workload
Money is great, but if you can, try to take a break from all of those shifts before uni goes back. Make sure to give yourself a proper holiday before the storm hits. Working immeasurable hours at your part-time job doesn’t count as a break, so work out how much time you need to really relax and recoup, and give yourself that time. Guilt-free.
3. Spend your free time with friends as much as possible
You’re all going to get busy soon, so optimise this time by spending it with each other. Some friends might be going into full-time work, others into full-time study, and next thing you know you’ll all be in full-time hermit mode if you don’t keep an eye on it. Make the most of summer while it lasts: beach trips, evening runs, catchups over cocktails and shopping days are at the top of our list.
Adelaide has some of the nicest beaches in Australia, why not go on a road trip with friends to check them out?
4. Do your own learning
Have you done anything productive this summer? Do you really care if you have? This is the one time you don’t have to feel guilty about being unproductive… but why not read a self-help book, set a new fitness goal, learn how to cook, teach yourself a new language or go outside and play tennis? You’ve got more time than you normally do; consider using it to your advantage by growing the part of you that lives outside of study and work.
5. Finish the holidays satisfied
Go back to uni knowing you didn’t waste your summer. Did you do everything you wanted to do? Did you make time for the important people? Are you ready to go back to study? If you’ve utilised these holidays to not only live them out but take time for yourself, chances are you’ll have a fresh mind for the start of uni.
Beach pics: Callum Jackson Photography
