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You've worked your butt off for the past two years and now it's finally all over. You've sat your final A-level exam. Well done!
It’s tempting now to kick back and let the summer days pass you by, but there’s a lot you can do between now and results day. I actually think back and wished I had made better use of my time.
Relaxing and have a well-deserved break is definitely on the list, but there are other things you can do to set yourself up for the next academic year if you’re going to university. Alternatively, if you’re choosing to take a gap year, you can make use of this time so that you’re well prepared for this experience too.
1. Relax!
You’ve earned it. Months of classes, revision and an intense few weeks of exams can take its toll, so make sure you allocate some time to unwind, catch up with friends and enjoy the summer.
Exploring your city and taking advantage of all the free things to do in your city is a great way to embrace the freedom that comes with summer.
2. Take a holiday and travel
It’s good for the soul and it’s great if you’re thinking about a gap year. The whole process of travelling whether it’s with a group or alone is a huge character-building experience.
Not only do you become hyperaware of your surroundings, you learn the importance of communication, understanding other customs and you naturally become more social and outgoing when meeting other people.
These skills are hugely transferable within both an educational and professional capacity. Soak up as much as you can if you do decide to go on holiday during this time.
3. Try your hand at volunteering
Your CV may be the last thing you’re thinking about after your exams, but it’s never a bad idea to start accumulating experience. You open yourself to meeting new people, learning more about the community around you.
There are different types of volunteering opportunities that are available across a number of areas including fundraising, the environment, helping the elderly and disabled, sports and homelessness to name a few.
4. Get an internship
You may have a clear passion or career path in your mind at this point and if you do, an internship is a great way to get a taste of what to expect in a real-life working environment in your chosen field.
It doesn’t have to be full time – a couple of days a week is enough to learn, meet professionals and find out whether this is something you want to pursue. Summer internships and volunteering also looks great on your CV and suggests that you’re a pro-active individual.
5. Hold down a part-time job
You don’t have to wait until graduation to get a job. Getting a part-time job will instil some kind of routine into your holiday, making it less of a shock when you actually start university.
Earning cash also promotes financial independence, which is a great quality to have and allows you to start budgeting early on. If you work in retail, this will also heighten your chances of moving into another retail job closer to your university if you wish to take up further part time work alongside your studies.
6. Work on a passion project
This can be anything you want it to be; a blog, a piece of art, the start of a business plan, a community project, literally anything. Using this time to start your own passion project will equip you with skills that are highly valued in the working world and it also shows how committed you are to work or projects that matter to you.
This also looks great on your CV and shows how much of a go getter you are and how well you use your time.
7. Research life at uni
Feeling nervous about heading off to uni and away from your home and mates? Not sure what to expect when you get there?
Well, now is the time to do some research to make sure you settle in even quicker when you get there. And Whatuni can help...
Don't know what to pack to take with you when you go? Don't know what to expect during fresher's week? From knowing what your lecturers are going to be like... to making the most of freshers' week... to knowing which clubs and societies you should join... we've got all the advice to help you.
8. Think about the possibility of Clearing
Finally, while you might like to just forget about your exams and your impending results completely... it's worth taking a little time to consider what will happen if your results aren't what you expect them to be. This is especially true if you are sitting on conditional offers.
It's worth considering the possibility that you might need to go through Clearing. Clearing is a way that you can still find and get a place at uni this year, even if you don't get the grades you need for your first or insurance choices.
To prepare for that we've got a handy guide to what it is and how you do it here. It's worth researching some back up university choices just in case you don't get in to your chosen one - which you can do right here on Whatuni.
