6 AUG 2016
Are you making the most of your summer break?
As the summer holiday gets underway, it is now the time of year that FE professionals can relax, travel, learn and enrich their personal lives.
As the summer holiday gets underway, it is now the time of year that FE professionals can relax, travel, learn and enrich their personal lives. If you are worried you may not make the most of your summer break, read on for our top suggestions for ways to spend your time in a meaningful way that will recharge your mind, body, and soul.
Take a life changing trip
As educators in the FE sector, every summer we have an opportunity that the average person would kill for – four to eight weeks of paid holiday that we can take in one go! If you are struggling with what to do with your summer break, consider taking a long trip to an exotic locale. Traverse heritage landscapes, visit ruins and explore art around the world. Low on funds? Consider backpacking or traveling on a budget, and remember that your pounds will go much further in many countries across Asia, South America and Northern Africa. The lessons you learn while traveling will stay with you for a lifetime; a trip abroad will teach you so much about other ways of life and change your perspectives forever. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn about yourself while travelling, and you can pass this knowledge on to your students.
Training courses
The summer break is a great time to enrol in training courses to expand your education. Right now is the perfect time to assess your weaknesses and select courses that will bolster your skills in administration, computer literacy, and organisational tasks. While studying a topic related to your field is an obvious choice, even a cooking class, a history lecture series or an art course will enrich the courses you teach. Take this precious time to explore your own personal interests – courses about the most seemingly unrelated topics can end up being the most useful information for your daily teaching life.
Focus on your health
Many FE professionals choose to use their summer break as a time to rejuvenate their bodies after a long and busy education year. For teachers, health can often take a back seat, but it is important to prioritise your fitness. Consider going on a meditation retreat, enrolling in a yoga course or pledging to eat more fresh fruit and veggies from a summer garden that you plant. By using this time for reflection and physical health, you are preparing your body and mind for the new FE year ahead.
Spend time with your loved ones, friends and family
When the school term is in session, you are run ragged and scarcely have time for a pint, let alone a leisurely catch-up with friends. The summer break is the perfect time to reconnect with the people with whom you love spending time. Make plans with old friends, plan a family holiday away and take a break with your spouse.