School holidays are the best, with endless possibilities while you’re not tied to a routine. Whether you’re eyeing up those extra sleep-ins, planning epic adventures with mates, or looking to earn some pocket money, a little preparation can transform your break from “meh” to absolutely memorable.
Whether you’re craving pure relaxation after a intense term, or itching to dive in and try something completely new school holidays are your time. Whatever floats your boat, these ten tips will help you squeeze every drop of goodness from your time off.
Set your holiday intentions
Before you do anything else, grab a notebook (or open your notes app) and jot down what you actually want from these holidays. Are you desperate to recharge your batteries? Keen to earn some cash? Want to try something you’ve never done before?
Having clear intentions could help you to get the most out of your break. You don’t need to plan every single day, but knowing your priorities means you won’t reach the end of the holidays wondering where the time went. Plus, when your parents ask what you’re doing with your break, you’ll have a proper answer ready!
Plan your sleep schedule (but be realistic)
Let’s be honest most of us fantasise about sleeping until midday every single day of the holidays. Whilst the occasional lie-in is one of life’s greatest pleasures and you do need to catch up on sleep, completely flipping your sleep schedule can leave you feeling groggy and out of sorts.
Try easing into a later wake-up time gradually, rather than going from 6:30am to noon overnight. Your body (and your mood) will thank you for it. A good rule of thumb is to shift your bedtime and wake-up time by 30 minutes every few days until you reach your holiday sweet spot. It’s also going to be easier to be up and ready for school or work after your break is over if you apply the same theory in reverse.
Budget for fun and freedom
Money might not grow on trees, but planning how to spend what you’ve got can make your cash stretch much further. Whether you’re working with birthday money, savings from a part-time job, or a modest allowance, creating a simple budget gives you more freedom to enjoy yourself.
Consider splitting your money into categories for essentials (like transport if you’re going out), fun stuff (cinema tickets, that new game you’ve been eyeing), and savings for something bigger. Even $20 can go a surprisingly long way when you’re strategic about it – think picnics in the park instead of expensive restaurants, or matinee movie tickets rather than evening showings.
Explore work experience opportunities
If you’re curious about potential career paths, holidays are the perfect time to dip your toes into the world of work. Work experience doesn’t have to be formal or boring – it could be shadowing a family friend for a day, volunteering at a local charity, or even starting a small project of your own.
Many businesses are happy to have enthusiastic young people around for short periods, especially if you approach them with genuine interest rather than just obligation. The worst they can say is no, and the best case scenario is that you discover something you’re passionate about whilst building your CV. You will have to plan in advance and give people plenty of notice though.
Create a wellbeing toolkit
Think of this as your personal emergency kit for those inevitable moments when you’re feeling a bit rubbish. Your toolkit might include things like your favourite playlist for when you need cheering up, an ally or two you know you can always call for a chat, or some simple breathing exercises for when anxiety creeps in. Or even just make a list of all the things that make you feel better and stock up on any essentials.
Physical wellbeing matters too – maybe it’s going for walks when you need to clear your head, keeping healthy snacks around so you don’t crash from too much junk food, or setting aside time for activities that make you feel good about yourself.
Knowing what makes you feel good mentally and physically is a fantastic strategy in life, helping you cope in stressful times and making sure you can get the most out of life.
Learn something new (just for fun)
Forget about subjects and grades for a moment, what have you always wondered about or wanted to try? Maybe it’s learning to skateboard, picking up basic guitar chords from YouTube tutorials, trying your hand at photography with your phone, or teaching yourself to cook something more exciting than beans on toast.
Magic happens when you’re learning purely because it interests you, rather than because you have to. So why not make time in your next break to do something just for you. Plus, having a new skill or hobby to add to your resume is always a bonus.
Nurture your relationships
Holidays give you precious time to strengthen the relationships that matter. This might mean actually hanging out with family members without the pressure of homework deadlines, planning proper catch-ups with friends you don’t see much during term time, or even having some quality alone time.
Don’t underestimate the power of simple gestures. Helping out around the house without being asked, suggesting a movie night or games evening, surprising a friend with a thoughtful message, or having a proper conversation with your grandparents can create memories and feel good factor that last far longer than any expensive activity.
Get organised for what’s next
Future you will be incredibly grateful if present you sorts out a few practical things during the holidays. This doesn’t mean spending hours on admin, just tackling small tasks like organising your room, backing up important files, or preparing for the upcoming term could make all the difference to how ready you feel to start the next term or project.
If you’re in your final years of school, holidays are also brilliant for researching university courses, apprenticeships, scholarships, gap years, or other post-school options without the pressure of deadlines looming. Even 30 minutes here and there can help you feel more confident about your future choices.
Balance screen time and real-world experiences
We all love a good Netflix binge or gaming session (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that), but try to balance digital entertainment with experiences that get you moving, creating, or connecting with others face-to-face.
Going completely screen-free doesn’t have to be the plan, just be intentional about when and how you use technology. Maybe designate certain hours as phone-free zones, or make a rule that you’ll do one offline activity before settling in for a gaming session. Set alarms or reminders if you find it hard to take a break, or make plans with someone as both incentive to get off technology and give you something to look forward to.
Be spontaneous within structure
Having a rigid plan could suck the joy out of spontaneous moments or get you saying no to opportunities that can make holidays special. Be flexible within your schedule so you can say yes when your mate suggests an impromptu trip to the beach, or when you wake up feeling like today’s the perfect day to finally tackle that creative project.
Think of your holiday plan as a loose framework rather than a strict timetable. Having some structure gives you direction, but leaving gaps allows breathing space for pure fun.
Ready to make it happen?
The best holidays aren’t necessarily the most expensive or exotic, they’re the ones where you feel like you’ve made the most of your time in a way that feels right for you. Whether that means earning your first proper paycheck, mastering a new skill, strengthening friendships, or simply giving yourself permission to properly rest, the choice is entirely yours.
Want to explore work experience opportunities or learn more about gap year options? Head over to our website to discover more exciting ways to spend your holidays whilst building valuable skills for your future.
