Summer break is here! Now that exams are over, you can finally relax, and enjoy your free time. There are countless cool activities that you could try. Here are some good ideas.

1. Learn Something New

Use your time effectively, even when you are relaxing. Learning something new is a good opportunity to expand your skill set, develop personally, and chill out, all in the same time. Is there anything you’ve been interested in for a long time, yet never had the chance to try it?

Start brainstorming. Think of what new qualities you’d like to acquire. Here are some ideas on how to start:

• Use the technology available to search for something interesting to learn.
• Read! That’s a big source of learning and realizing what you’re truly interested in.
• Open a dialogue with a person you’ve always wanted to chat with.
• Start chatting with strangers and learn something new every day. You’d be surprised by how many cool stories you can hear if you are genuinely interested in other people.
• Watch documentaries on what you are interested in – National Geographic, Animal Planet, History Channel – these are just someof the good channels you could follow.

Be open to new ideas, get rid of shyness, and go for the things you want!

2. Travel the World

Travel the world and expand your perspectives by immersing in a new culture! Easily said than done, huh? Most of you might think that “traveling is so expensive!” Let me tell you something: it doesn’t have to be. You can travel the world on a budget too. You just need to find out the tricks and search for the right sets of circumstances. Check these out:

• AuPairing
• Couchsurfing
• WWOOFing
• Bartending
• Working on cruise ships
• Working in hostels

And there are many other opportunities! If you really want it, you can do it. Everything is possible.

3. Get an Internship

Getting a summer internship is an amazing chance to discover your job preferences and enhance your practical skills.

• Build a proper resume
• Purchase appropriate clothes for your summer job
• Use your university’s resources to find the right internship for you
• Attend job fairs!
• Use social media, such as LinkedIn or Facebook to find even more openings

Getting an internship at some point in your college career is truly important. So, why not start now?

4. Work-Out

Another great idea to spend your summer time is working out. You don’t even need to go to the gym if you don’t have the time or the money. Follow various YouTube channels and start working out on your own. Besides the popular weight-lifting, you could also try:

• Team sports, like basketball or football
• Bowling with your friends (having fun and working out in the same time!)
• Softball
• Biking (or bike racing!)

Skating Katy Rule, freelancer at essaygeeks.co.uk and fitness trainer, shares her story. “Once I started working out, everything changed. I was incredibly active, and very present, even in my daily routines. Working out will change your life for real.”

5. Discover Yourself

Summer is a great time to get to know yourself. Accepting who you are, understanding where you stand, and embracing life is essential. You could start discovering yourself by welcoming everything that happens in your life, letting go of selfishness, and connecting to your inner self. Practicing yoga or meditation is a good place to begin.

6. Volunteer

Ooooor you could dedicate your summer to volunteering! Isn’t that exciting? There are so many communities in need throughout the world! You just have to start researching.

• Find a cause that you are interested in
• Choose a volunteering site/company that truly cares about the impact it has on the world
• Ask yourself “what is this new experience going to teach me?” If you are satisfied with the answer, go for it.

Tip: volunteering overseas is a great idea. You will get a lot of experience and get to travel the world at the same time!

7. Start Thinking Big

Thinking is essential, even when we don’t realize it! Start thinking, but think big! Design time for yourself this summer, step outside of your comfort zone, do something you are really going to be proud of. Set attainable goals, manage plans, and think in prospective. Stay motivated, and celebrate yourself for getting through a challenging academic year.

Wrapping Up

This summer: learn something new, travel the world, get an internship, start working out, discover yourself, volunteer, and start thinking big! You got this.

Chris Richardson has been working as an editor at a publishing agency in London, UK for 5 years. He is also a professional content writing expert in such topics as career growth, self-improvement, blogging, and technology innovations. Feel free to connect with him on Google+.