There are plenty of things to keep you occupied during the summer breaks this year – it’s the perfect time to learn too – these are just a few of hundreds of suggestions we looked at, suitable for every taste and pocket.
Learn new things or catch up with old interests: YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for learning about science, technology, history, art, culture, and many other subjects.
With over 2 billion hours of video uploaded every month, there are plenty of great resources to help you learn everything from how to play piano, the basics of programming, or even about tatuaje cigars and how boveda can help you keep them in tiptop condition.
In fact, according to a recent study conducted by Pew Research Center, people spend nearly three times more watching online videos than reading books to hone their mental skills. So why don’t we use it to our advantage?
Documentary Heaven is a great place to find the latest documentaries online. Each day, you’ll see hundreds of informative “docus” added to the site. If you want something specific, like cloud hosting or telephony solutions, for instance, just type it into the search bar.
You can browse categories like “Politics,” “History,” “Sports,” “Science & Nature,” etc., to find new ideas and interests – it’s a fun way to learn new things.
Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, especially on a summer holiday.
The phrase “Don’t work for money; make money work for you” is one of those cliches that we’ve heard for decades. But there are some things that money won’t buy – like knowledge, communication skills and experiences.
There are plenty of voluntary organisations out there that offer the chance to travel and explore new cultures while doing something useful and worthwhile..
These programs allow people to work alongside experienced professionals while gaining real world experience. Australian Volunteers International operates in 26 countries and you can find yourself serving meals to underprivileged children in Africa, or helping them experience new things like canoeing or climbing in Madagascar.
If you’re looking to learn how to start and run a small business, an easy way is to do something like dog walking or window cleaning.
Dog walking isn’t just for pampered pooches anymore. In fact, pet owners are increasingly turning to professional dog walkers to take care of their pets during the day.
Dog walking businesses aren’t hard to find, but don’t think of it as babysitting. You’ll actually be helping to keep dogs safe, healthy, and happy – and earning money.
Summer is an ideal time to learn another language – the days are longer and there is more time to relax.
There are many ways to learn a foreign language, including online courses, books, podcasts, YouTube videos, and even apps like Duolingo. But there’s no better way to master a new language than getting really involved in it.
A proper organised class means you can meet and practise public speaking to turn your new spare time education into an art form.
As we mentioned, summer is ideal to spend some quality time helping others, and giving something back to society. It just needs some positive thinking to increase your chance of success.
If you’re looking for things to do in Australia, rather than overseas, here are some projects you could do during the summer to help in a big way and learn new skills.
You could help build a house for someone living in poverty, or make a difference to a local environment by planting trees or supporting charities that work locally.
By supporting the type of charities that work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, you can meet new people and gain insights and perspectives of different cultures and communities as a bonus.
Volunteering for projects like this can help your conversation confidence and critical thinking – especially if you have never worked in such communities.
You could volunteer to clean up beaches, work at a local nursing home, or even deliver meals to seniors. These are all great ways to give back while helping others. And there are many organisations looking for volunteers across Australia who would love your help.
Many of these organisations run courses and allow you to gain qualifications and experience while you volunteer.
The best way to make a difference in people’s lives isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it takes some digging around to discover what you can do to help others.
Volunteering doesn’t always have to mean working in a soup kitchen or volunteering at a hospital. There are plenty of opportunities to lend a hand to those less fortunate.
Local colleges often hold evening classes – and even day courses – during the summer. There are a wide range of subjects covering both practical and academic subjects.
You can find everything from astronomy to embroidery, and boat building to history, in most major cities and larger towns. You might find some bucket list subjects you’ve always wanted to learn.
It’s a great way to learn creative hobbies like guitar playing which is an excellent skill to discover and a brilliant form of communication.
The subjects needn’t be boring either. History, for example, could mean looking at something like Halloween and its customs such as Halloween contact lenses. Useful for those parties and trick or treats – and you might get ideas for Halloween contact lenses Australia style when you find out about the traditions and myths.
Given the current economic climate, most people should learn what it takes to keep their house in tip-top shape, especially since there are many benefits associated with doing so.
Having someone else come out to your house to fix basic home repairs for you is incredibly expensive, time-consuming, and rarely ends up saving you money.
On the contrary – hiring a contractor could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run.
There are several great resources online to help teach you about basic skill home repairs, including Adam Doville, Channel 7’s go to DIY expert, and Bunnings Warehouse videos on YouTube.
In the same vein, car repair shops charge hundreds of dollars per hour. A mechanic can cost anywhere from $100-$200 an hour or more even for basic car repairs.
If you’re looking to fix something yourself, it might seem daunting. But it doesn’t have to be for a simple skill. You just have to know what tools you’ll need and where to find them.
You can learn about common repairs you can do yourself, including replacing a brake pad, checking your tire pressures, changing your air filter, and changing your oil and oil filter.
Again, there are loads of resources online to run you through how to fix most common vehicle problems. YouTube channels like “Retro Cars Forever” are a great place to learn the basics.
