Summer hits differently when you’ve finally got a break from your usual routine. No lectures. No exams. No early starts. Just time that actually belongs to you.
If you’re not totally sure how to use it, here are a few ideas that help you reset, have fun and set yourself up for whatever comes next.
Travel (and it doesn’t need to cost much)
You don’t need a huge budget to make a trip feel like an escape. A quick flight to see friends or family, a weekend road trip, a night away somewhere coastal or even exploring parts of your own city you usually ignore can be enough to shake off the year. A change of scenery works wonders.
Pick up a part-time or casual job
Summer is peak hiring season. Retail, hospo, cinemas, events, councils and tourism spots often look for extra hands. Even a short stint gives you extra cash, real experience and something solid to add to your resume. You also meet people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with, which is always a bonus.
Recharge properly
You don’t need to be productive every second of your break. Resting is still doing something. Sleep in. Watch shows without guilt. Spend slow days with people you care about. Go outside more. Give your brain a breather from whatever your year looked like. Rest is fuel, not laziness.
Try something new just because
The best part of summer is that you can try things without pressure. A cooking class. Surf lessons. Learning to drive. Volunteering. Gym trial passes. Picking up a creative hobby. It doesn’t need to be deep or life changing. Trying new things helps you figure out what you actually enjoy.
Sort out your plans for next year (lightly)
This isn’t about building a five-year roadmap. It’s more about clearing your head. Update your resume. Look at courses, jobs or pathways you might want to explore. Check out program intakes, scholarships or opportunities you don’t want to miss. Set yourself up without stressing yourself out.
Spend time with your people
Summer is perfect for easy hangouts. Beach days. Cheap dinners. Movie marathons. Long drives. You get fewer long breaks as you get older, so make the most of this one while you can.
Get some learner hours or driving practice done
If you’re working toward your licence, summer is the easiest time to bank hours without trying to squeeze them around work or study. Even a few sessions a week makes a difference.
Clean up your digital life
Not in a boring admin way. More like: delete old apps, clean your camera roll, back up your photos, organise study or work files before they vanish into chaos. A small tidy-up now makes future you very grateful.
Make a little extra money in low-effort ways
Selling old clothes, reselling tech you don’t use, flipping furniture, offering to pet sit or house sit. Nothing stressful. Just simple ways to make summer spending money without locking yourself into a major commitment.
Get ahead on applications or future plans
If you’re finishing school, starting uni, considering a gap year or looking for work, the holidays are a calm time to look at early entry programs, short courses, apprenticeships or jobs you want to throw your hat in for. No pressure to decide everything. Just explore.
However you spend it, make it yours
There’s no right way to spend a summer break. A good mix of rest, little adventures, small wins and low-key planning leaves you feeling more grounded for the year ahead. However you spend it, make it something that feels good for you.
Looking for ideas for part-time work, short courses or early career pathways? Explore Careers has plenty to dive into.
