“When do our vacations start?” This is the most common and exciting question on every student’s lips as soon as final examinations come to an end. Vacations bring freedom and joy and students imagine countless activities during this time, anything except studies! Unfortunately, many students fail to think of how best to make use of these valuable days of rest and freedom.

There can be no fixed rule for spending vacations, since every student has different interests and talents. Yet, whatever we do, we should aim to gain the maximum benefit not only for ourselves but also for others.

It is often seen that many students spend most of their vacation only playing. While play is important, too much of it may disturb their habit of study when school reopens. What is needed is a balanced plan. A few hours daily may be kept for games and exercise, to stay healthy and active. Evenings can be used for meeting friends and relaxing. Short trips to nature spots or historical places bring freshness and knowledge. Watching a good film once in a while with friends can also be a source of healthy entertainment.

In the past, Gandhiji advised students to spend their holidays in villages, working with the poor and helping them. This, he believed, gave students both satisfaction and valuable lessons of service. Even today, young people can contribute during their vacations by volunteering at hospitals, libraries, NGOs, or social service groups. Such work makes holidays truly meaningful.

On the other hand, simply locking oneself in a room reading novels all day, or wasting time on endless movies and games, is not the right way to spend vacations. A good vacation should have variety; relaxation, entertainment, learning and service. And no vacation feels complete without some time spent in the lap of nature, away from the noise of daily life.

As the poet W. H. Davies wisely said:

“A poor life this, if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.”