The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone thus between work, school, and family obligations. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by all the planning and preparation that goes into making Christmas memorable, not to mention all the parties and family meetups.
In the midst of it all, I believe that a well-planned vacation can be both productive and enjoyable. As a guardian and parent of a high school student, I understand how difficult it can be for teenagers to juggle all of the tasks that must be completed before the holidays.
Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing, but for some teens, it can also serve as a productive time to learn new things or meet new people. Therefore, there are several ways in which teens can have a productive vacation from schoolwork or even flee away from everything that makes life tedious at home. Here are some ideas below on how you can make the most out of your next break:
Take a Course Online:Â
- If you want to learn something new, there are a lot of free online courses available. You can learn about anything from how to play piano or how to code. You can also learn about a new subject or skill that interests you—like learning French or Spanish, tutorials and many others, hence the internet is now exclusive to everyone.
Write in a journal.
- Journaling can be a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It is therapeutic, it helps you reflect on the day or week, or even the year past—and it gives you something tangible to look back on when times get tough. Whether it is tracking your daily activities or dreaming up new ideas for future projects, journaling provides a space where you can process what is going on in your life without feeling like there is too much pressure to produce results quickly (like with other forms of writing).
- If you are feeling incredibly reflective right now (which is understandable), try writing down some dreams that are still just beyond reach right now but would make perfect additions once they do come true. Also you can write down some goals that are still just around the corner. These types of lists help keep us motivated by reminding us how close we are to achieving whatever goal we have set out for ourselves.
 Read some books:
Reading is one of the most productive things you can do on vacation. It is a great way to learn new things, pass the time, and relax. Reading can also help you learn about different topics, which is useful if you are traveling somewhere that does not have much in common with your home life. Make a list of books you would like to read this vacation. Furthermore, reading also widens your scope of knowledge.
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Learn an instrument:
Learning an instrument is one of the ways of acquiring another skill for yourself as an individual.
You can learn how to play a musical Instrument like the piano, guitar, violin, or any other musical instrument you like.
This will help you to add up to your other skills and also enable you to earn a living with it. People play these instruments at certain occasions which in return generate some income. When growing up, a musical instrument was one of the things I wished I learnt, but I missed that opportunity, you may have it now and I urge you to go for it.
Moreover, practice your instrument regularly, whether it is a piano, guitar, or violin. And also learn to play for fun and not just at school.
Hence if you are interested in learning an instrument outside of school (if you are in high school), then take lessons from someone who can teach proper technique and form while still having fun with it!
Learn to cook a meal or two:
We all enjoy food, and even if you are not a foodie, learning how to prepare some basic meals would be beneficial. You can start this vacation by learning to cook, just like any other skill. You do not have to be a pro, but it will be worth your time. Cooking is a skill that will stick with you for the rest of your life. It is also a great way to save money, spend time with your family, and learn about different kinds of delicacies.
There are lots of free recipes online if you want to start from scratch—or there is  no shame in using an app or the Food Channel tutorials such as YouTube as long as you are careful about what ingredients go into each dish (and do not  buy anything more than necessary). For Ghanaians food is part of our culture so when it comes to food one must give in all his effort.
Learn some artistic works:
Artistic works is also generating in the society we live in. You can do some art for the fun of it? Learn how to draw, paint or even sketch. Even if you cannot do it well right now, you will be glad you gave it a try. You can try your hands on some digital art tools online as well.
Learning how to draw, paint or sketch is a great way to keep busy and make memories. Even if you cannot do it well right now, you’ll be glad you tried. This can also generate a source of income for you as you do and portray them online as we live in a technological world now, you cannot determine where your help can be from.
- Start with simple drawings and then move on to more complex ones. You can use various media such as pencils, pens, and paints for your first project (or all three). Practice often so that when the time comes for an assignment or test it will be second nature.
- Take lessons from an expert who specializes in this type of art form – they may even give you pointers once they see what kind of work has been done by the student.
Master the art of healthy eating:
To have a productive vacation, you need to be healthy. This can be harder than it seems. There are many temptations when you are on vacation—the beach, the pool and all its fun activities (food), and your friends. It is easy to fall into old habits that are not good for your body or mind.
Here are some tips for staying on track:
- Eat breakfast every morning before leaving home so that by the time lunch rolls around in the afternoon or evening, it will already be digested and ready for action.
- Avoid foods high in sodium and sugar (soda/energy drinks etc.). You do not want any extra room in your stomach for other things like alcohol or fried foods later on down the road.
- Cook at home whenever possible so that even if something unhealthy happens by mistake during dinner preparation (like accidentally putting too much salt into something) then at least there will still be some semblance of control over what goes into our mouths.
- Drink lots of water each day to stay hydrated.
- Take in some quantity of fruits and vegetables each day to help provide multivitamins supplements into the body.
- Do not eat late to avoid obesity and others.
- Get enough sleep to help your immune system function properly.
- Always stay in a clean environment.
Learn the act to Volunteer:
Volunteer at an orphanage home and help with menial chores around the place e.g. cleaning dishes, sweeping and mopping the floor, etc.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and help others in need. It is also a great way to learn how to be a team player, make new friends and get some much-needed rest.
Volunteers are always welcome at orphanages and monasteries as they provide a service for them without expecting anything in return.
Learn photography skills:
- Learn the camera settings. Learn about the best angles. Learn about the best lighting. Learn about the best time of day to take photos (and learn how to make your light modifiers).
- Find a good location that has unique features, such as trees or rocks, which will make for great Instagram content especially if a good fan of Instagram and any social media platform.
Network / Groups:
Joining different online groups (that focus on areas of interest) and making new friends from around the world through their updates, comments, and posts. You can also learn new things and share your experiences with them too.
You will be able to make new friends who are interested in the same things as you are. You will have a lot of fun with these people as well as learn something new from them every day.
Share content as a means of archiving what you learn during the period, you can be doing so digitally, using social media. Write your thoughts, ideas, and opinion about anything around you. Share it on social media or with others via apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and others. You can also write about what you have learned from the experiences that happened in your life or from the people who are important to you.
Plan A Day Out with Your Parents
Yes, spending quality time outside the home with your parents will be one of your favorite memories. So, this time, instead of letting your parents plan the day, plan it yourself and bring them along. Make it enjoyable and educational. Family time is always the best to get everyone together once again and create a memorable experience.
Remember to take pictures, keep a journal, and enjoy your time together.
In conclusion, now that you know the ways to have a productive vacation, you can relax and enjoy your time off. Remember to do something fun during your trip or else boredom will set in. You can also combine these activities with other ideas we discussed earlier (e.g learning new skills through self-development books) for even more fun.
Bernard  is an Author, Speaker. Lecturer and Corporate Trainer and a brand strategist at BKC consulting and runs the monthly Branding & Publishing Masterclass. visit www.BKC.name
