Being a healthcare student can be incredibly challenging. Long hours in the classroom, followed by taxing practicals and studying at home in the evenings, can take a mental toll on even the most studious student. That’s why it is so important to not only enjoy your time off but also use it to your benefit. Having any time to yourself is rare enough as it is, and using it wisely and in a balanced way will allow you to grow, relax, and have fun when not on campus.

1. Take a Mental Break

Before you get back to studying, you must prioritise your mental and physical health. Take some time to completely switch off your mind from the stress of your studies. You can do this by going for a hike or walk in the park, playing some sports, reading a good book, meditating, or even just relaxing in bed for the whole day. Gaming is another great way to completely disconnect from your daily worries. Reputable online poker sites, like Coin Poker Australia, offer beginner-friendly games and welcome bonuses that will let you forget about your most recent exam.

Only you will know which self-care activities resonate with your needs.

2. Connect with Loved Ones

Perhaps you were so busy during the semester that you didn’t have time to see friends or even call home. Your time off is ideal to reconnect with friends and family, and reestablish those bonds that took a backseat as you were running to get to your next class.

A quick video call or a coffee in the morning may mean the world to your loved ones and is likely to give your emotions a boost, too.

3. Develop Your Finance Skills

There’s no time like the present to start to learn how to budget. Soon, you will enter the job market, and that will require you to pay bills and taxes and manage your funds.

You can start simple and only keep track of where you’re spending all your money. Alternatively, if you want to get more serious about financial management, you can look for online or in-person courses that cover budgeting, loan repayment, taxes, and savings accounts.

4. Find a Hobby

Having a few hours or days to yourself is great if you want to spend time on your passions or discover a new hobby.

Perhaps you enjoyed knitting or crocheting when you were still at school, but you’ve not been able to make time for it with your busy academic schedule. Or maybe you always wanted to test whether you have a green thumb, but simply never got around to it.

Some hobbies to consider:
● Photography
● Martial arts
● Needle-work
● Painting or drawing
● Sewing
● Gardening

There are plenty of free online tutorials and YouTube videos covering a range of hobbies to get you started.

5. Volunteer to get Experience

The last thing you want to do during your time off is to work; however, volunteering can be a fun and rewarding use of your time, while giving you valuable experience in the healthcare sector.

It allows you to use your newly acquired skills to make a positive difference in your community, and it will also look good on your resume.

Healthcare students can volunteer at:
● A hospice
● A retirement home
● A childcare facility
● A rehab centre
● Your local GP office
● Women’s clinics
● Non-profit groups

You don’t have to stick to volunteering in the healthcare industry. Head to your nearest animal shelter or organise a beach cleanup. Volunteering will always look good on a resume.

6. Take a Trip

Now is the time to be spontaneous. Free time as a healthcare student is rare, so why not have a bit of fun? It’s time to say yes to new experiences and take a trip to a place you’ve never been.

The destination will, of course, depend on your budget and how much time you have available. You can head into the nearest city for the day, or pack your bags and head out for a weekend trip with friends.

7. Sort Out Your Living Space

Admit it, you’ve been putting it off the entire semester. But, it is about time you start sorting out your living space. If you’re in a dorm, now is the perfect time to go through all those old condiments in the mini-fridge or work toss clothes you’re no longer wearing.

Those living in a larger apartment or house share, why not clean out the bathroom cabinets and deep clean the kitchen? If you put on some sing-along songs or a podcast, you won’t even feel the time pass. Plus, you’ll be glad of your neat living space once the workload piles up again.

8. Add a Skill to Your Resume

Personal development is always a good idea, and you can use the break to add skills or qualifications to your resume that you may not develop in your major.

There are plenty of free courses available online, whether you want to do web design, digital marketing, or administrative skills. These may not be directly linked to your healthcare qualification, but they can help you stand out in a crowded job market.

9. Catch Up on Your Reading

Do you have a reading list? Why not get a head start and dive into those books or chapters? Or, if there’s no reading list available, you can always find a book in your field of study and deepen your knowledge.

Reading doesn’t have to be only about academic books. If you enjoy leisurely reading, now is the time to get started on that book you’ve had on your GoodReads list for the longest time.

10. Update Your Social Media Profiles

Being a student is one of the best times of our lives, and most enjoy sharing what they’re getting up to on their social media. However, you’re soon going to enter the job market, and your employer might not enjoy staff posting pictures of themselves drinking alcohol or in scantily-clad outfits. It’s time to clean up your profiles if you want to be taken seriously.

While you’re at it, you can also set up your LinkedIn profile to appeal to employers. Use a professional headshot, update your degree information and any work or volunteer experience you have, and complete your profile with a succinct bio.