How to Spend Your School Holidays

Co-authored by Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD

Last Updated: February 22, 2023 References

School is out and you finally get the break you deserve. Now if you can only figure out what to do with your time. Resist the temptation to do nothing all summer. When you look back on how you could have spent your time you don’t want to regret it. Plan how you spend your school holiday ahead of time to make your break memorable, productive and fun.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Planning Your Holiday

1
Make a to do list. Use your break to catch up on all those things that you could not find time for during school. Use your time to catch up on laundry, or cleaning your room. You don't want to waste precious time every day looking for some clean clothes to wear, or trying to find your phone or keys in a messy room. It may not be the most fun you'll have all summer, but getting it out of the way first can make for a great start.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Make another list of things you have always wanted to do. Think big. List all the things you have been wishing you had the opportunity to try, then spend your holiday making them happen. Having a list handy will provide you with lots of ideas. You won't waste your summer days sitting around trying to think of something to do. Just find something on your list to check off.

Advertisement
3
Make time for friends and family. Keep the people that matter to you in mind. You don’t want to keep yourself so busy that you have no time to catch up with them. Set aside time that is just for being with family or friends and make the most of it.
4
Create a calendar. With work, family and friends, keeping track of your summer activities can be overwhelming. Make a calendar so you can fill your days with fun without overdoing it.
5
Keep your spending under control. Summer is a good time to earn extra money. The biggest mistake students make is spending it all on their holiday and going back to school broke. Be sure to limit your activities to what you can afford so you head back to school in good financial shape. You don't want to begin the new school year while you are stressed out about money.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Relaxing

1
Read a book. Take a book outside and read in the shade. Reading is not only an enjoyable break from reality, but it will also help to keep your brain sharp when school resumes.
- If you having summer reading assignments, you can set aside 20 minutes each day to read the book. This way you won't have to cram it during the last few days of summer.
- If you are looking for a book but don't want to spend money, visit your local library. You can check out books, movies and music at no cost.
2
Catch up on sleep. School starts early in the morning for most students. Many late nights of studying combined with early mornings can wear you down. Take advantage of the extra free time you have to catch up on sleep so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday. You will have more fun when you are well-rested and energized.
3
Take a trip and write about it. Traveling is a common summer activity. It's great to expand your horizons and see the world. Make the most of your trip by starting a blog and writing about your journeys. A good travel blog will bring your readers with you, so share it with your friends so they can be a part of your adventures, even if they aren't there. The blog will give you something to remember your holiday down the road, and it will help build your writing skills at the same time.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If writing isn't your thing, consider creating a photo blog. You can document your journey through pictures.
4
Cook a meal for your family and friends. Having a barbecue or dinner together offers a good opportunity to catch up with friends and family. If you can’t cook, just make some sandwiches and have a picnic. Show the ones you care about that you value the chance to spend your free time with them.
- If you want to polish your cooking skills, you can look into signing up for some cooking classes. Most of them don't cost too much, and sometimes they are even free if they are offered at a local community center.
5
Go fishing. Fishing is fun, relaxing and a great way to spend time with friends or family. The best time to fish in at dawn or dusk, so this is a great activity you can do when you're bored, but it's too early or late to do other activities.
6
Binge watch a television series. You probably have at least one show you enjoy, but had a hard time keeping up with during the school year. Now is your chance to catch up. If you missed a season on television during the spring or last fall, you can usually catch up with it on streaming television providers by the time summer comes around. You can invite a friend or two over and make a sleepover party out of it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Having Fun

1
Play sports. Sports offer a great means to stay fit and be social at the same time. Play a pick-up game of basketball, sign up for a marathon, or just swim some laps at the local pool. Most sports cost very little to get involved in and can provide hours of fun. Plus, it will be harder to find the time to stay fit while you are busy with school. Take advantage of the extra time you have now to keep yourself in shape.
2
Take up a new hobby. Make good use of your time by bettering yourself. Learn to play an instrument, take up gardening or knitting. The key is to take up a hobby you have always wanted to do that is still within your budget. You will be proud of your accomplishments when the summer is over.^{[4]
X
Research source}
3
Visit a museum. Museums can be fun, inspiring and educational. There are museums for art, science, history, and more. No matter what your areas of interest are, you can find a museum that will teach you more about them. It’s a great way to have fun while learning.
4
Adopt a pet. Not only are you doing a good deed by adopting a pet, but you will have a companion that is always there keep you company during your holidays. Pets require a good deal of care and attention, so be sure you are up to the task. You can adopt all kinds of pets by visiting local pet adoption organizations or just stopping by your local pet store.
- If your parents aren't okay with getting a pet, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. These organizations are almost always in desperate need for volunteers. You will get to spend time with animals and have some volunteering experience to add to your credentials.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Working

1
Volunteer for a charity. Whether you are just helping clean up a local park or traveling across an ocean to build houses, volunteering can be an amazing experience. You can learn a lot about the world and what you can do to make it better. It will look pretty impressive on your college applications and resume as well.^{[5]
X
Research source} All you have to do is call or email a local organization you'd like to help and ask what you can do.
2
Get an internship. Getting experience in your field is a valuable way to spend your time away from school. You will get to learn skills that are important to your future employment and make contacts in your field. It’s never too early to start building up your resume.
- It's best to start looking to line up an internship before your summer starts, especially if you are hoping to get a better position or a paid internship. There are always opportunities out there though. Just check web classifieds and job posting sites to see the possibilities.
3
Pick up a seasonal job. Making money is a great way to have a productive holiday. Whether it is summer break or winter break, most employers are going to need some extra seasonal help. If you aren’t old enough to get a job yet, don’t let that stop you. You can make some extra money by doing yard work around the neighborhood.
4
Hold a garage sale. If you found a bunch of stuff you don't want while cleaning your room, you can sell it in a garage sale. The extra money will come in handy once school starts back up and you have less time for work.
- If you have nice stuff that just isn't your style, you can make a little more cash by selling them through consignment shops or online auction houses.

Community Q&A

Question

How should I spend my holiday?

Community Answer

You should spend your holiday relaxing, catching up on rest and schoolwork, and ONLY begin preparing for school when the time comes!
Question

How do I relax my mind during my school holidays?

Community Answer

Try meditating, prayer, yoga, or regular solitary walks in a quiet setting.
Question

What kind of creative work can I do during my summer holiday?

Community Answer

You can write a story, write a poem, write letters and free-write! We have plenty of articles on ALL these topics, so check them out if you get the time!