What to do During the University Holidays

A glimpse of sunshine with a sunny forecast is all that’s needed to lift your mood when you are in Melbourne. Exams over, assignments submitted, and Christmas preparations in the air; it is summer time here. So, have you got any special plans for the university holidays?

Many of you might be done with your exams already, or in the middle of completing them. You might already have planned what to do in your summer (or winter) break, but if you haven’t decided what to do, here are some suggestions that could help you use your time off productively.

1. Get a work placement

Whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, your employment prospects once you finish your studies will be so much brighter if you’ve gained some industry experience. So why not use this time of the year to complete an internship or work placement?

At this time of the year, many businesses have lots of permanent staff taking leave. This might be an ideal opportunity to show up and offer your services for work placement. As well as earning a little extra money (always useful!) you’ll also have the chance to get valuable work experience, which will give you a real head start once you graduate.

2. Get an additional qualification

We recently talked about ways to earn money while you study, and one of the options one was to become a sports coach. There are lots of opportunities like this available for students, which may require you to first complete an extra qualification.

Now I am not asking you to enroll in a full degree program! Instead, you could take up a certificate course that spans a few weeks and offers practical training in a field such as hospitality, retail, tourism, sports, security or any other industry you prefer. These qualifications could help you access part-time and casual job opportunities, not only during the university holidays but throughout your studies.

3. Sign up for winter/summer classes

This is not for everyone, but some students might seriously be thinking of finishing their studies earlier than scheduled. Whether you’re just really engaged with your subject, or keen to enter full-time employment more quickly, taking extra winter/summer classes during university holidays could be a good option for you. Many universities offer winter/summer classes, to help students complete courses more quickly, or just to spread out the study load more evenly throughout the year.

4. Seek out an adventure!

If you are an international student, you may just want to spend the university holidays returning home to visit family and friends. But once you’ve taken the decision to leave your home and study abroad, why not make the most of it?

You might have explored the city you live and study in, but what about other nearby destinations? Gather your friends and plan a trip to further explore your international study destination. This is certainly going to add life to your study abroad experience.

Happy Holidays!

What are you planning to do in the university holidays? Let us know in the comments below.