With so many post-secondary institutions in the province and especially here in Toronto, it's not all that uncommon for some level of University staff to be on strike somewhere, and for a very large group of Ontario students to be left waiting to get back to class. I was stuck doing that very thing in the nearly three month long York University strike of 2001, so now I offer a few suggestions of the things I was glad I did with my time, and also some things that, in retrospect, I wish I had done.
1. Finish Your Assignments
Obviously the first thing to do is to finish any work that has already been assigned. Complete research, write essays, and finish any hands-on projects you can do outside of a studio setting. If you fell behind during the year and feel like you don't understand a concept that was taught, now's the time to do whatever re-reading or discussion with your classmates is necessary to be all caught-up and exam ready.2. Bond With Your University Buddies
Have you met some fantastic people in your classes or in residence? Take the time to really get to know them, and cement the at-school friendships into long-term relationships. This can be as simple as spending more time hanging out together or can (and most likely will) turn into much more elaborate games and discussions.3. Consider Working Ahead
Looking at your class syllabus and working ahead is a tricky proposition, because you likely don't have the specifics of the assignments and you also can't know how the plan for the year is going to be amended when you return to class. But all of the texts you were assigned at the beginning of the year are something your professor felt was relevant to the class topic, so you can never lose by reading ahead. Based on the upcoming assignments originally laid out in your syllabus, you can take notes and create outlines, which won't feel like too much wasted time if the assignment is eventually canceled or re-worked.4. Explore the City
All caught up and looking ahead academically? If you came from out of town to go to school, now's a great time to get out and experience the city with your other classmates. This can range from checking out touristy attractions to visiting neighbourhoods. Feel the need to make it useful? Scope out where you'd like to live in the summer if you're planning to stay in town.5. Research Your Industry
Do you have a career plan laid out for after graduation? It doesn't matter if you're in your first year or your last, it's never too soon to start learning about your post-grad options. Go online, check out industry publications, and maybe even get in contact with potential mentors to learn about opportunities. If you identify specific companies, internships, or freelance career paths in advance, you can skip a lot of the floundering many people do after their final exams are written.- Visit About.com: Career Planning if you need help getting started.
6. Catch Up With Family and High School Friends
Have you let some old relationships drift while you've been away at school? Even if you're living at home, having new classes and responsibilities can take up a lot of hang-out time. Take the time to call, email or go old-school and write a letter or card to some of the people you haven't been doing a good job of keeping up with. Even a flurry of Facebook messages one afternoon can help keep connections strong.7. Make Some Cash
It's frustrating because the obvious thing to do with time off school is to work, except you don't know when the strike will end so you can't go out and get a real job.If you currently have a part-time job you're in the best shape, because you may be able to pick up extra shifts. Even if the schedule at your workplace isn't usually flexible, be sure to let your boss know about your situation in case someone calls in sick or there's an extra project they could use you for on a day-to-day basis.
If you don't have a job to start with, keep an eye on the gigs section of Craigslist which often has next day or one weekend jobs. Proceed with caution though, heeding all of Craigslist's warnings about personal safety and avoiding scams.
8. Improve Your Employability
Even though you can't go out and make a long-term job or volunteer commitment, there are some things you can do on your own (currently ample) time to make your resume stand out when you begin your summer or post-grad job hunt. Consider:- Trying to get a magazine, newspaper or web article related to your field published
- Taking a one-day general skill class such as first aid, or online certification such as Smart Serve
- Teach yourself a new computer program to the point where you could honestly call yourself an expert
- Check out on-campus resources or local Youth Employment Centres for resume assessments and interview coaching
