Summer summer summer time skills…
Summer opens the door to a wide range of activities that are often off limits (or very difficult, unless you like gardening in the snow) at other times of the year. And not only is gaining a new skill great for your wellbeing, it could even be a great way to boost your employability.
To help inspire you, here are seven skill you should definitely master this summer:
Gardening
Struggling to keep your plants alive? There’s always room for growth…
Whether you’re looking to create the perfect outdoor (or indoor) space, or you want to try your hand at growing your own fruit or vegetables, there are many ways to put your green fingers to good use this summer.
And with courses to teach you about all things gardening – from basic botany and plant classification through to weed control and plant nutrition – it’s never been easier to advance your horticulture skills.
Home improvement
Keep meaning to fix that kitchen cupboard? Had enough of that leaky tap? Just want to impress your partner/housemates/guests with your expert DIY skills? Look no further.
There are many ways to learn how to ‘do it yourself’, with a variety of courses to teach you the fundamentals of home improvement – from painting and decorating, to wallpapering, tiling, and knocking down walls. Nailed it.
It’s like Tim ‘The Toolman’ Taylor* says, ‘you know why I like tools? Because they fix things’. And you know what? We can’t fault that logic.
View all home improvement courses
Photography
Whatever you’re doing this summer, make it picture perfect.
Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in photography, start a side hustle, or just improve the quality of your Instagram feed, studying photography could be the best way to do it. Once finished, you’ll be able to master your camera settings and lenses, improve your images’ natural lighting, nail your composition, and take great landscape and portrait photos.
And if you’re just staying at home this summer? At least your selfie game will be on point.
Cooking
This summer, it’s not just the weather that’s heating up…
With a variety of cooking courses available, you’ll be able to learn the fundamentals of nutrition, food hygiene, and food preservation, along with a number of culinary techniques and recipes in many cuisines.
So turn on the oven, cook something amazing, wow your friends and family with culinary masterpieces…and most importantly, leave the washing up to someone else. You’ve earned it.
Blogging
Ever wanted to create your own blog?
Blogging doesn’t just allow you to express yourself, it also helps you hone your writing skills, become a more organised thinker, and build a network of industry experts. In turn, it could even make you more employable. Your childhood diary just got a major upgrade.
Need some direction? Take a course. Not only will it teach you how to build a great website for your blog, you’ll also gain insights on choosing a niche, writing styles, getting people to view your blog, and more.
Swimming
If you’re not the most confident swimmer, now’s the time to take the plunge.
The weather is (sometimes) nice, holidays are on the cards, and beaches are well within your reach. But swimming isn’t just a great summer activity, it’s also a good way to build endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness all year round.
Only know how to doggy paddle? Don’t panic. There are a number of courses perfect for beginners as well as intermediate swimmers. So dive in – and you’ll be backstroking like a pro in no time.
A musical instrument
What if you created your own soundtrack for the summer?
Whether you’ve always wanted to learn to play the guitar, piano playing has always been your forte, or an instrument of the brass variety is calling your name (because you know what, trumpets are cool), there are many courses to help you practise your virtuosity.
At the very least, you’ll be able to be that person that always has a guitar at any outdoor event. Hallelujah (etc etc).
Still searching for something to learn this summer? View all courses now.
*We’re looking at you, fans of 90’s comedy Home Improvement. IYKYK…
