After an endless sequence of grueling study sessions and examinations, summer is finally about to come. Three months of freedom, unbridled joy, and dozens of tools and opportunities to travel, network, and cultivate new skills. Despite three months seeming like heaps of time to procrastinate on planning your summer and saying, ‘we will see’, it is the biggest delusion that is likely to end up dissatisfied with your summer holidays.
To prevent this outcome and not be in the place of Lana Del Rey in her legendary ‘Summertime Sadness’, here you can find simple, yet beneficial and interesting activities to do in your spare time in summer:
- Go for a hike or picnic.
Summer is the most suitable season for outdoor activities, especially for hiking and gathering for picnics with your friends. Hiking is not only one of the best remedies for your mental and physical health after exam periods but also an activity that could bring people together. If you are staying in Pécs for the summer, then I have pleasant news: our city has many spots to offer, starting from easy routes such as Orfű and continuing with expert hiking spots for example to Forest Chapel, for pro-hikers. If you are afraid of going alone, there is a group ‘International Pécs Hiking’ on Facebook where you can join other amateur English-friendly hikers every Saturday. Once you settle for hiking, do not forget about sun protection and hydration!
- Join educational programs.
There are numerous educational programs and info-sessions available in Europe, both online and offline, especially during the summer. Participating in educational programs can open undiscovered perspectives of your interests and be beneficial in your future studies. Global learning platforms such as EdX, Coursera, and Udemy offer thousands of highly qualified educational programs from leading universities all over the world. Despite most of the courses being accessible by monthly subscription, there are still a good number of courses free of charge, and you can even apply for financial aid or scholarship.
The University of Pécs also offers its students professionally accredited EDUC (European Digital UniverCity) courses for free by being one of the eight partner universities of the EDUC Alliance Program. EDUC Alliance also provides students with opportunities to participate in workshops, forums and apply for internships.
- Undergo a complete health examination.
The University’s dynamic lifestyle with endless deadlines and exams can be draining to the point that you barely have some energy left at the end of the day, and you are most likely to neglect your health by destroying your sleeping and eating schedules. Thus, summer is the best time for your medical checkup! Start with the basics by consulting with your doctor about tests and procedures that need to be taken care of. I would also recommend taking tests regarding micro and macro elements and hormones to see how your hormonal levels have changed and what vitamins your organism needs.
- Look for internships and summer jobs.
Three months of freedom from academic life can also be beneficial in starting your professional career path or earning extra money for the next semester. You can already start searching for jobs on LinkedIn, groups on Facebook or your local websites for available job vacancies. Getting a job assures your financial stability as well as opens the gate for strengthening your communication skills and building a functional networking environment.
- Plan your upcoming academic year accordingly.
As trivial as it may sound, planning your schedule for the next semester beforehand is key to a well-balanced college life. Try to think about your syllabus, the required number of credits and possible electives you want to take; you can even contact senior-year students and ask them what to expect and what you should be prepared for. Moreover, not to limit your schedule only to academic duties, you can join several university student initiatives and organizations such as Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Pécs, Student Hub, and AIESEC in Pécs. Most of those organizations gladly recruit new members in the summertime, do not miss your chance to join!
Summer is the most suitable time to try everything at once, take care of your mental and physical health, and reflect upon your past actions to become a better version of yourself. So, go forth and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, for a summer well-spent is a summer that will forever remain in our memories.
Photo: 31daily.com
