As tempting as some of the ideas may be, they would not fall under the bracket of \u201cenriching\u201d activities. Most of us in college \u2013 not counting the Type-A law students juggling 2 or 3 internships \u2013 tend to spend our long summer breaks watching movies and TV shows that we had religiously downloaded from Torrent sites. Blame it on ignorance or sheer laziness, but several enriching activity ideas often go unnoticed. So, here are ten ways to enrich your summer break. Be warned: You can no longer cite ignorance as an excuse to while away the summer.<\/p>\n
1. Indulge in hobbies<\/h1>\n
Some of us are clueless when it comes to listing personality-showcasing hobbies in transcript resume. Can\u2019t claim to have a hobby? Well, there\u2019s no better time than a two-month long summer break to take to a new hobby. Not sure what to pursue? Follow your heart!\u00a0 Being well-rounded and well-informed helps.\u00a0 Flip through a variety of newspapers and general-interest magazines and open your mind to possibilities. There is always a sense of fulfillment from learning something new. If there is one oft-cited desire among college-goers, it is to pick up a guitar and effortlessly play a romantic song. This summer, you could learn to do just that and probably even serenade your love interest when you are back from your break. Guitar not your accessory of choice? Pick up another musical instrument or even take dance lessons. Not musically inclined?? Find your way around design, coding, or a plethora of online courses from the comfort of your home.<\/p>\n There are two kinds of writers in the world: Those that write to get published and those that write for the joy of writing. Write away and you might know which kind you\u2019d want to be. Weave memories into a memoir or diary. Experience the joy of writing poetry. If this is not persuasive enough and if you are one of those people who derive strength and drive from celebrity quotes, then this advice, from Louis L\u2019Amour, might help: \u201cStart writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.\u201d\u00a0 And if you fancy writing, you might as well indulge in the next activity as well, because writers get better by reading the works of other good writers. Image courtesy of Cameron_Bathory<\/a><\/p>\n Pick up that dusty book from your shelf and put yourself in the shoes of magicians, detectives, Prime Ministers, Robin Hoods, dreamers and warriors. Visit the nearest library and take a dip into the undying poems, stories and plays that live on, timelessly. Save yourself from having a blank face when your friends come back from vacation and go gaga over J K Rowling\u2019s new book or the fourth and final part in a famous book series. Moreover, reading is to writing what bread is to jam. So, curl into a hammock or a cozy recliner, fix yourself a drink, and devour a book.<\/p>\n Image courtesy of Moyan_Brenn<\/a><\/p>\n Most of us welcome the New Year with a resolve to work on our fitness and for some, getting those washboard abs or that envious bikini body is not too far-fetched. While it would need more than just a summer break to give yourself that makeover, it\u2019s always a good time to start. Make up for all those hours of slopping around and get rid of those tires around your waist acquired from late-night pizza parties and Biryani at odd times during the day. Plug in your headphones and go for a walk or a jog in the cooler morning or early-evening hours. Up for something more intense?\u00a0 Joining a nearby gym, provided you keep up the fitness regimen, may be a worthwhile option.<\/p>\n Image courtesy of M_G_N_Marcel<\/a><\/p>\n The wonderful thing about summer school is that it is not only an avenue to learn new things from professionals and experts but also an opportunity to socialize with people with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences. There are courses for almost everyone, ranging from international relations to culinary arts, thanks to collaborations with a host of renowned universities. Some programs also offer hands-on field experience, which may serve you well later.<\/p>\n Noticed banners or fliers of internship portals or startup internship opportunities on campus or at some college festival? The summer, when you\u2019re not up to your neck in coursework, may be a good time to pursue an internship, starting even in May.\u00a0 Online internship portals boast of a large database of internship opportunities and skills training opportunities. You could also walk into your college\u2019s career placement and training office and learn of opportunities through them. Keep in mind that many companies, especially growing startups, don\u2019t have hiring calendars but hire just-in-time.\u00a0 Also, not all openings make their way to job boards.\u00a0 Many are shared by word of mouth.\u00a0 So, reach out to classmates and seniors and enquire proactively about potential opportunities at companies that interest you.\u00a0 Better yet, approach companies directly.\u00a0 Good ones will appreciate your initiative.<\/p>\n Image courtesy of IAEA_Imagebank<\/a><\/p>\n Volunteering not only gives you the joy of giving back to society but also leaves you with treasured memories and experiences. So, how about, say, bringing smiles on to children\u2019s faces? Maybe an opportunity to volunteer at the pristine foothills of the Himalayas, as part of field work for NGOs, would persuade you to take the plunge. As with a search for internships, you could look online for volunteer opportunities or ask around within your personal and professional network.<\/p>\n There cannot be a better time to set out on a backpacking trip and be enraptured by a rugged jungle, a picturesque hill station, awe-inspiring landscapes, and breathtaking beachfronts. For those with a bike, a drag race is not the only thing to do anymore. Now, you can even ride all the way into Myanmar and Thailand from India. If you have an appetite for long journeys, take a train and let it be your window to the world. After all, it\u2019s the going and not the getting there that matters.<\/p>\n Surfing the web can be productive and enriching, too. Maybe those addictive listicles and trivial insights into the insane and the outlandish make you question the internet\u2019s enriching potential. However, quality content also abounds, and those who care to look can find them.\u00a0 Heard of BrainPickings.org, for instance?\u00a0 Finding the right pages, blogs, and websites not only adds to your learning curve but also might just be your opportunity to show the world what you have got.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s note:<\/p>\n For more tips,\u00a0read: 10 Ways to Recharge Your Mind and Body in 10 Minutes<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"take-up-new-hobby\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/take-up-new-hobby-741x496-300x201.jpg\")
\nImage courtesy of Azri<\/a><\/p>\n2. Learn a new skill<\/h1>\n
![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/guitar-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>3. Write<\/h2>\n
\n![\"indulge-in-writing\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/indulge-in-writing-748x496-300x199.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Read<\/h2>\n
![\"Books](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/read-2-300x184.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Get fit, get toned<\/h2>\n
![\"get-fit-during-summer-break\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/get-fit-during-summer-break-751x496-300x198.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. Summer school<\/h2>\n
![\"summer-school\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summer-school-384x496-232x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Intern<\/h2>\n
![\"find-internships\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/find-internships-745x496-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. Volunteer<\/h2>\n
9. Travel<\/h2>\n
![\"travel-in-summer\"](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/travel-in-summer-765x466-300x183.jpg\")
\nImage courtesy of Moyan_Brenn<\/a><\/p>\n10. Expand the mind<\/h2>\n