Fill your time, have fun and boost your employability during the final month of summer.
July is almost over and we're well into the swing of summer, but if you're a student there's still at least a month left of freedom before the academic year starts again. If trips to the pub are starting to feel a bit repetitive or you need something to fill the Love Island shaped hole in your evenings, there's still time to be productive this summer. Make the most of the next month with these ideas that'll keep you busy and benefit you in the long-term too (or at least some will).
1. Volunteer
It might be too late to secure an internship for this summer, but there are other ways to gain hands-on experience and boost your CV. Volunteering is a great way to fill your time, learn new skills and give back to the community.
You could volunteer for a charity that interests you, a museum or library, a local political campaign or for an environmental organisation - there's plenty of options out there. If it coincides with the subject your studying, even better, but any experience will teach you important transferable skills.
2. Earn some extra cash
There's so many ways to earn money nowadays that don't even require moving off your sofa. Clean out your wardrobe and sell any unwanted clothes online - apps like Depop and Vinted make the clothes-selling process quick and easy. Join globally renowned rewards programme Swagbucks and earn the easiest money you'll ever make by filling out surveys, watching videos or browsing the web. Or consider tutoring; there's lots of online opportunities available where you can tutor people of any age group and subject you choose.
3. Learn a new skill
Learn a new language, take a course on how to code or use Photoshop, perfect your public speaking skills; you name it, there's either an online course, video, or class in your area that will teach you it.
Additional skills beyond what you learn from your degree will demonstrate to potential employers that you're passionate about the industry and will give you an edge over other candidates. Just think, if it means they don't have to train you up in certain areas, they'll be much more inclined to offer you the role over someone that needs teaching.
4. Go on a staycation
Holidaying in the UK might not be at the top of your bucket list, but it's super easy to rent places through websites like Air BnB and because you're not paying for flights, it'll cost you much less than a holiday abroad.
With so many great holiday spots in the UK, you're bound to be within train or driving distance of at least one. The Lake District, Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, Wales and Devon are just a few options for a relaxing few days, or if you fancy something more upbeat, there's plenty to do and see in cities like Bath, London, Newcastle or Edinburgh.
5. Pursue your hobbies
Have you been meaning to improve your golf swing, learn to hula-hoop or join your local pottery class, but always tell yourself 'I'll do it in the summer holidays'? Then summer rolls around and you decide that binge-watching RuPaul's Drag Race on Netflix is a better use of your time.
Now, any second spent with RuPaul is a second well-spent, but pursuing a current hobby or picking up a new one will not only get your otherwise dormant brain stirring this summer, but when you come to apply for jobs, demonstrates to employers that you're a well-rounded candidate. Any hobbies that require skills that are useful in the job you're applying for will be particularly notable to employers, and should definitely be mentioned on your CV.
6. Start the job hunt
If you're heading into third year this September it's never too early to start browsing the job market. Having a think about career options and doing some research into what's available, particularly if you plan to apply to graduate schemes (which open soon after the academic year begins), will help you get ahead.
Final year can be a stressful time and juggling job applications with dissertation writing won't be easy, so it might also be wise to re-vamp your CV now. If your writing skills have got a bit rusty over the summer, check out our 20 tips everyone should know before putting together a CV. The more productive you are now, the easier you'll make it for yourself once your busy schedule starts up again.
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