Help with making the most of my break from education.

FueledByAisling

I decided just before Christmas that the course I had chosen was not for me. Luckily I was only a first year and took the initiative to leave sooner rather than later. I'm currently working part time 20-hours a week but as you can imagine I have an incredible amount of spare time.

I would be grateful if any boardies could perhaps suggest activities for me to do which would be beneficial for my future. I spend a lot of time looking into college courses as I do want to return next September, but I also want to get internships which may prove difficult with having a part time job. I am trying my best to remain social, keep fit and save money but I just can't help but feel like I'm wasting the next couple of months which if I put some effort into, I could make very beneficial.

I fear that I will get lazy, give up on college and let myself go so I need ways to remain physically and mentally active. All suggestions and inputs are welcome.

LegacyUser

At this stage I would read up on any course you want to move on to, go to college open days and speak to the lectures/tutors about the course you are interested in doing.
Put up posts here and get student feedback on what ever you what ever course/courses your thinking of doing.
I would also get work experience in this area so long term you have a better idea it the job/career is the right one for you.
See if you can do any short course which could help your next course in college ie first aid for nursing.

If you are working 20 hours a week over 2 or 3 days you may be entitled to sign on for the days you are not in work.
Over the next few months I would do the following - learn to drive ( some jobs require that you have a full licence).
I would also do the ECDL/learn to type - having good computer skills and being able to type up thesis when your in college will save you money.

Another option for you would be to doing a tefl course, learn another language or see if you can improve any language skills you already have.

R.D. aka MR.D

Do you know which course you want to do?
If so, to keep mentally active, you could get the reading list for first year and work through it. It would give you a huge advantage.

If you are doing something very career focused then you could try to get some work experience. It may not be an official 'internship' but it would give you real life experience of the environment that you want to work in.

mary55

Yes like they said get some work experience or maybe you could join some classes to keep fit and active.