It’s been a challenging year for all of us, but now summer is here and the school year over! Why not take a break from Netflix and try a few new things this summer? Karen (our Acting Access Manager, and former teacher) has shared five ways to make the most of the warmer months, which will also help prepare you for your return to school in the autumn.

1. Keep reading

Now is the perfect time to read for pleasure and to lose yourself in a new, imaginary world. There is no better way to spend a lazy summer day than with a good book. Plus this will help get you ready for all the reading you have ahead of you, whether you’ll be studying for your GCSEs or moving up to sixth form next year. Of course, you can read whatever you like this summer; you might prefer to read magazines, newspapers or comics rather than books.

2. Keep writing

The best way to get better at writing is to keep writing. So, write anything! For example, you might want to write a journal, make notes on the books you read this summer (see above) or do some creative writing such as writing a story. You might even want to learn calligraphy (the fancy writing that you see on wedding invitations) or just improve your handwriting in general.

3. Start a creative project

This is the time to do all those things that you don’t normally have time to do. How about creating a family album with all those photos that you have on your computer or phone? Or you could draw your family tree. Why not create some art that you can put up in your home somewhere or learn to knit, sew or crochet? The possibilities are endless.

4. Cook something

Maybe you could make dinner for the family once a week, or make lunch every day. Maybe you could learn a new recipe or two to impress everyone. Or perhaps you could bake a cake or make some picnic food that you can enjoy outdoors with some friends. If you already have good skills in the kitchen, then maybe you can invent your own recipe – this could be as simple as thinking of a new sandwich filling that people may not have tried before.

5. Spend time outdoors

After so many months spent indoors, now is the time to get out and about! You can go out walking and cycling or you can play sports outdoors. Use your garden or any green space near you to race against your friends, or create an obstacle course or play football, handball etc. If you are able to travel, then maybe you can visit a beauty spot in your area so that you can spend some time outdoors in a new environment, but remember to keep socially distanced.

Whatever you decide to do, we hope that you will have fun this summer. You deserve it!