
Summer holidays have arrived! Are you wondering what to do with yourself now that you’ve binge-watched some Netflix and slept in till 10 a.m.? If you are looking for ideas to keep busy this summer this blog post is for you.

Are you itching to get creative, add to your CV or learn something new during the holidays? Enrol in a short course this summer! I’ve enrolled in an online course called Data Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation to broaden my understanding of the ethics surrounding AI. It’s been so nice learning without the pressure of university. I’ve also enjoyed the freedom to explore interests that are outside my current field of study. The University of Edinburgh offers an array of short online courses that you can enrol in. All of the courses are completely free, but you do have the option to upgrade to gain a certificate. The topic areas include arts and culture, science, technology and maths (STEM), philosophy, sustainability and many more. Check out the online courses on offer here.

You can keep busy and make a difference this summer by volunteering in your local community or globally.
Find local volunteering opportunities in the UK through Do It. Do It is a platform that aims to help people build meaningful connections, do good things and feel happier and healthier as a result.
If you are not in the UK and you don’t have any volunteering opportunities locally you can still volunteer online. There are a lot of online volunteering opportunities that only require an internet connection.
DoSomething.org is an online organization enabling young people to take action to solve real-world problems by volunteering online.
You can visit their website to browse their campaigns and their article, 9 Places to Volunteer Online (And Make a Real Impact), lists other places and organisations you can volunteer at from behind your laptop or smartphone.

Put on some trainers, dust off your bike and get some fresh air! Enjoying the outdoors this summer holiday may look a bit different but there are so many outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy nature without the summer crowds that flock to the beach.
If you are in Edinburgh there are so many scenic walks you can embark on alone or with a friend. My personal favourite is Calton Hill. It is a quick walk and the reward is an amazing view of the city from the top. Here is a list of the most scenic walks to take in Edinburgh.
No matter where you are in the world there are so many things you can do:
- try out a local hike you’ve never explored before
- dust off your old bike and go out for a drive to your favourite café
- organize a picnic with a friend
- go on daily walks in your area

With all this time on your hands, it is the perfect time to take up a new hobby. While we are at university so many things demand our attention and we often neglect the things we love doing.
The hobbies you had as a child slowly fade away but rediscovering your love for painting, gardening, playing the guitar or photography is an amazing way to spend your summer.
Hobbies have amazing benefits including better sleep, lower stress levels and the chance to meet new people and to be part of a community.
Here is a list of hobbies to try this summer:
- Yoga or Pilates – there are so many free guided classes on youtube to explore. My favourite channel for yoga is Yoga with Adriene.
- Start a blog – Do you have some interesting stories or knowledge and tips to share? Why not start a personal blog this summer. It can be anything you want! Document your summer adventures, the recipes you cook as a student on a budget or your university experience as a whole.
- Learn a new language – There are so many resources on learning any language your heart desires. If you’re are interested in a casual gamified approach to language learning I would highly recommend checking out Duolingo.
If you enjoyed our ideas to keep busy this summer you might want to check out one of our other blog posts about feeling stuck and how to get out of a rut here!
Be sure to head over to the University of Edinburgh PPLS Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to follow the PPLS journey and become part of the family.
Feel free to share your summer plans in the comments.
Till next time!
Stay happy and stay healthy.