It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and with our current at home schedules of home learning and scheduled breaks it is easy to settle into routines that can stifle our creativity and learning.  Developing new skills and learning about new things is vital to help us develop ourselves and our understanding of the world around us.

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

  • boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
  • helping you to build a sense of purpose
  • helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life – and we don’t just mean through your school work!

Some of the things you could try include:

Do

  • try learning to cook something new. Find out about healthy eating and cooking tips. Jamie Oliver has some great ideas on his Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpSgg_ECBj25s9moCDfSTsA  
  • You could also read books to research and learn something new about the world. There are some great documentaries on television.  Why not take a look at Perfect Planet with David Attenborough  BBC1/Iplayer.
  • try taking on a new responsibility around the home, such as helping out with a particular chore or helping to care for a member of your family.
  • work on a craft or DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike, garden gate or something bigger. There are lots of free video tutorials online as well as perhaps some expert advice from your mum or dad! Pinterest has lots of great ideas for craft projects you could try at home.
  • consider signing up for a course or app to learning something new. You could try learning a new language, exercise or craft. During the lockdown, many teachers and experts have created online learning resources and courses to help keep people interested in learning something new.  Duolingo and Babbel are great apps for starting to learn a new language.
  • try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint. Youtube and Pinterest are great places to look for how to guides and videos on a range of skills and techniques. 

Don’t

do not feel you have to learn new qualifications or sit extra exams if this does not interest you. It’s best to find activities you enjoy and make them a part of your life.  Activities and interests away from your school work are important to help you unwind and give you a change of focus.