Several universities are on their semester break. How can students make the most of their free time? Here are five things you can do as an undergraduate to make the most of the school break. 

1.    Learn a skill: Skills are the best assets any man can acquire. You can choose to learn either soft skills or hard skills. Soft skills are essential skills that generally apply to most professions like communication and writing skills. Hard skills on the other hand are more specific to certain fields of study. You can gain hard skills through a form of training or certification. For instance, tech enthusiasts can gain skills in software development, coding or other skills relating to their career paths. 

2.    Build your professional profile: It is never too early to start building a professional brand that reflects your uniqueness. Platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr are great for creating a professional portfolio. Also, take the time to craft a CV or resume if you haven't or update your current CV. 

3.    Apply for a scholarship/essay competition: There are thousands of scholarships and essay competitions open to undergraduates. You can subscribe to newsletters from websites dedicated to opportunities for students. A website like ScholarshipAir regularly posts scholarship opportunities. 

4.    Start an internship: This is something almost all undergraduates are familiar with. Whether you believe internships are essential or overrated, you can't deny how beneficial they are. After all those years in school, you need a place to practice all you've learnt before stepping into the business world. Fortunately, a lot of internship opportunities can be taken online. 

5.    Start reading for the next session: I saved this for the scholars! If you plan to improve your grades or want a headstart before school resumes, this is for you. You can connect with students who just completed your current year and ask for their notes. Get the course outline for compulsory courses and start studying them. You can also attempt past questions if you're feeling very ambitious. Doing this will make you feel more prepared and relaxed for your next academic session.