Make the most of your summer break: 5 ways you can prepare for the academic year

 

A top educationalist in UAE said that students should not waste all the time of the summer break just lying on the beach, but after a month of rest and relaxation students can continue the process of one’s education as well as get a head start in academic year and acquire new knowledge.

“As long as we still have long term breaks, it is up to us to maximize on the time we have,” Professor Ghassan Aouad, the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, was quoted by the local press.

Some of the things that Professor Aouad proposed which students can do to improve their readiness for the year and also enhance personal mental and generic growth apart from increasing knowledge on life skills are the following.

1. Take Online Courses

There are opportunities where the student can learn more subjects within the field of study or even adjacent fields to make them more knowledgeable of what they want to achieve in their careers, as described by Professor Aouad.

“They can take online classes on various subjects such as data science, creative writing, etc. obtaining these certificates within your course of study would serve as an added advantage especially when it comes to job interviews Other than specialized course trainings there are some general courses which can be useful in any field and these include communications, project management, use of AI tools, tips on presentations, and general management skills.”

2. Volunteer

Professor Aouad mentioned that volunteering is good for health as it makes the body discharge a hormone known as dopamine, denoting decreased tension and elevated, contented moods.

Students “actively participate in bringing change to society while at the same time, gain valuable employers recommend soft skills through volunteering in organizations as one can be assigned specific roles that enable him or her to develop leadership and teamwork among others” he said Volunteering is the best way to start societal networking which can give one the first break into a career.

3. Boost mental well-being

The university chancellor also pointed out that students can effectively employ the time to enhance their mental wellbeing something that will be beneficial to them for the rest of their students {studies} as well as after.

“One of the effective ways used in the said study that may be helpful in putting into practice is exercise: it is never too late or too early to bring exercise into one’s lifestyle so try to engage in activities such as yoga, running or group sports and find which among these are most preferred among with determination to incorporate exercise in the daily process As for other stress management techniques that include breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, and meditation exercises.”

4. Make sure to review great reading content

The professor recommended two books: ‘The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business’ by Charles Duhigg and ‘The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel.

“‘The Power of Habit’ is an insightful read on the formation of habits and how these can be shifted for the betterment of oneself This makes it ideal for overcoming vices while nurturing new behaviors that can propel one career in the personal and professional world.

‘The Psychology of Money’ looks into the interactions between money, greed, and happiness This is an invaluable guide in the management of money, influences on the right decision-making processes, and foster a healthier relationship with money”.

5. Improve Language Skills

Gaining new languages is beneficial to one’s cognitive state and ability to interact effectively. Love means that it allows students to interact with people at a deeper level and can lead to career advancements.

As for foreign languages, English is followed by Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, French, and Portuguese Languages some of which are some of the fastest-growing languages after English. Increases in the importance of Arabic are significant in the region and are highly appreciated in the global business and diplomatic corps if one wants to pursue their career here,” Professor Aouad said.