Once the initial high of graduating school fades, sooner or later you will begin to ask yourself the mystifying question: What do I do now? As fun as sleeping all day, and posting your latest selfies on social media can be, they quickly tend to get a little repetitive: if you’re not careful, the time you receive before the onset of college will be utterly boring and a complete waste of opportunity.
With a working internet connection and some effort, here are five things which will not only make your days more enjoyable but will definitely change your life for the better.
Travelling: If you have the funds and the desire, you should definitely, definitely use this time to travel. Exploring new places shapes our personality, it gives us a new perspective, makes us more accepting and diverse. In our beautiful country alone, I am sure that there are countless places whose mesmerizing beauty you still haven't seen. Grab your backpack and go solo, or if you'd rather travel as a group snatch this opportunity to put together a big family/friends outing. The precious memories you make will stay with you forever.
As an added bonus, the adventures you embark upon will make superb college essays :D
Coding: Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you have surely heard of this at least once. You also probably made a face and thought something along the lines of ‘Coding? Oh, you mean that typing thing which nerds do in sci-fi movies? Naah that’s not for me.’
Well, allow me to clear up a few of your misconceptions. Our world today functions on programming. You are reading this article due to lines of code written by a person who is earning a good wage because of his knowledge of computer languages. Google, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram – billions upon billions are made every day because some teenagers just like you decided to learn.
There are endless options to learn this skill online; in my opinion, Codeacademy is the best one. Just log in and begin learning!
Jobs: This is by far the easiest opportunity you will get to work. You have unlimited time on your hands – use it. Sales Assistant, Tutoring, Freelancing, or even the job as an intern at your favorite clothing store, there are endless options for you to find work. Taking up a part-time job will get you a stable income, and more importantly, work experience that’ll boost your resume and make you look good. Another reason for taking up a job is simply the freedom that is associated with it: not having to depend on parents for your expenses is in itself highly rewarding.
Although any type of job does the trick, in Bangladesh I’ve found that tutoring is by far the best option for us. Firstly, parents are pleased by this initiative and also it feels amazing when students do well and our hard work pays off.
Languages: Ever wished that you could learn a new language? Had dreams of dazzling your friends by speaking in fluent Italian or French? Well, you're in luck because your dreams are just the click of a button away. In our modern age of technology, routers and wi-fi are becoming increasingly common every day. On the internet, there are countless websites from which you can choose to learn almost any language, completely free of charge.
Adding a foreign language to your list of skills makes you a hot commodity both in the workplace and in the heaps of other college applications your universities will receive. Moreover, by learning, for example, German, you can open doors to countless other possibilities for your future. Many universities in Germany offer education free of charge, or for a minimal cost - by learning their language you can apply for these degrees and also be eligible for a plethora of German scholarships.
Simply open an account in Duolingo and begin your language journey.
Reading: This may sound a little cliche because from your teacher to your parents everyone has told you at one point in your life to read more. Growing up in England, five minutes away from the biggest public library in our neighborhood, I grew up immersed in books and literature. With the raging popularity of movies and series, I know that it's hard to develop this habit as we get older. However, even if you think that reading is not meant for you, trust me when I say that it is a skill that will help you in all aspects of your life. There is no more effective way to develop your English reading and writing skills than being a regular reader of books.
Take my advice: Google genres that you like. For eg. are you an avid reader of romance? Or maybe you like dystopia or something more realistic and biographical? There is a book to accommodate everyone's personal choices. Also, try taking suggestions from a bookworm friend or maybe there's a really cool movie that was adapted from a book? Go to your local bookstore and buy them.
Do not go for ebooks.
At this stage, buy a few paperbacks. Sit down with a steaming mug of coffee and let your inner reader dominate. You will not be disappointed.
Each of these habits require time and patience when you get started; but, every single one of them will change your life in ways that you cannot even imagine. Don't waste the precious time you have left - it won't ever come back again.
I hope you enjoyed my article on 5 wonderful activities to try before college - leave your likes, follows and reviews and keep your eyes open for more from The Student Savior.
Comments