Spend this summer becoming the person you want to be, in both your professional and personal life

The summer break might be the perfect time of year to relax and unwind after a hectic school year, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to push and improve yourself. It may feel as though you have an endless stretch of long summer days ahead of you, and that there’s no need to rush things, but the future will be here before you know it.

It’s never too early to think about what kind of student (or indeed professional) you want to be, and to start taking steps to becoming that person. Self-improvement doesn’t just come over time, but through trying new things, improving your knowledge, and gaining new skills. Here are some simple yet effective ways to improve yourself this summer.

Read

Reading improves your vocabulary, your literacy, your imagination, and your ability to empathise. Who knew self-improvement could be so relaxing? By reading a book, you are getting a glimpse into another person’s mind and soul, and stepping into a world you would otherwise never have known about. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a novel, poetry, a biography, or some essays, reading any kind of book is an easy way to broaden your mind.

Try new things

Imagine learning something not because you had to, but because you wanted to. In these homework-free summer weeks, try something that’s always interested you, but which you’ve never been able to try before. This might involve joining a dance class, signing up for some community theatre, taking an online language course, or joining a book club.

Stay up to date

We live in hectic times, where the news can change dramatically from one hour to the next. The world isn’t limited to your social media feed, or a single celebrity gossip column, or gaming forum. Keep on top of current events by reading the news every morning (make sure it’s a reliable, independent news source). You might discover a passion for politics or global events, and it’ll certainly help you feel more connected to what happens in the world around you.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a way to make the world a better place, even if it’s just by making one person’s life a little easier. You could donate some time to helping at the local retirement home, walk a neighbour’s dog, fetch shopping for an elderly or handicapped person, or organise a ‘clean-up’ of a local park or beach. Volunteering makes you feel good, and looks good on university and job applications.

Express yourself

Writing things down in a journal or blog encourages you to better articulate and analyse your thoughts, while also improving your written skills. Try to keep it positive by being passionate about what you love, rather than negative by bashing what you hate.

Exercise

A daily walk, joining a gym, swimming at a pool or (safe) beach, yoga classes or dance classes, are all fun and easy ways to get some exercise this summer. Exercise releases hormones that improve your mood and outlook, while the physical benefits will make you feel more confident.

Summer school

Maybe you’re committed to improving their academic performance this summer? Nothing beats spending a couple of weeks at summer school. Immerse Education summer school in Cambridge offers a wide variety of courses, from medicine and law, to history and creative writing. These courses combine classroom teaching with in-depth discussions and practical activities, all taught by highly respected tutors from the very best universities in the world. You’ll get a taste of university life with fellow students from all over the world, by participating in a range of social activities designed to promote lifelong friendships across geographical and cultural divides. What better way to improve your knowledge, and broaden your horizons?