How to make the most of your time at school

School is not for everyone, but there are things you can do to try and make the most of your time there

Written by spunout

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Everyone’s experience in school is different. Some people love it, some people hate it, and others don’t feel strongly one way or the other.

No matter how you feel about it, school can be an opportunity to try new things, discover your interests, and gain new skills and experience.

How to make the most of your time at school

Try to be open to trying new things and joining in on activities to give yourself a chance to really find what you like. Here are some places to start:

Get involved in school clubs or activities

When it comes to making the most of your time at school, one of the best things you can do is get involved in extracurricular activities. Your school most likely has some afterschool activities you can get involved in, from sports, drama, language circles, or a book club. Keep an eye on notice boards to see if anything sparks your interest. The student council can also be a great way to get involved and improve the school experience for your classmates.

If there’s an activity or sport you’d like to do but your school doesn’t offer it, talk to your teachers and ask if you can set it up! The chances are there are other people in your school who would also like to do the same thing.

Look outside of school

If you find your school can’t offer any activities that interest you, try to find out what’s available in your local area. There are plenty of classes, courses, groups and youth organisations out there for you to join. Many libraries offer free events for young people, and there are plenty of youth clubs around the country that can offer a range of activities, whether that’s sport, art, political groups, book clubs, or other interests.

If there is no group or club in your area that interests you, look into creating your own.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, gain new skills, and get some experience. There are many different types of volunteering you can do depending on your interests, whether that’s working with people, animals, events, the environment, or other areas. Learn more about the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved in volunteering in Ireland.

If you’re interested in writing, video, or creating a podcast, find out about volunteering for SpunOut.ie.

Look for a part time job

Another option open to you is looking for a part time job. This is especially great for the summer when you’re off school. A part-time job can help you to gain new skills, earn money, and get experience in the working world. There are a number of ways you can find a job including looking online or asking around in your area. Make sure you know your work rights and your employer is treating you properly.

If you plan on working during the school year, try to make sure this does not impact on your education. Talk to your employer about your responsibilities to your school work and make sure they understand that your education is most important.

Talk to someone

Sometimes, things can become too much. If you are feeling overwhelmed or unhappy at school and are finding it difficult to deal with this alone, talk to someone. If you are finding it difficult to talk to a teacher or guidance counsellor, you could try writing down how you’re feeling on a piece of paper, and leaving it with a teacher or placing it under the guidance counsellor’s door.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service for 16 to 25 year olds is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

  • Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
  • Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
  • Text HELLO to 50808 to begin
  • Find out more about our text message support ser b  vice

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