Post-Exam Activities

Sheikh Iraj

After completing any major examinations, like SSC and HSC, or ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels, students get some time on their hands before they start their next phase of studies. One can easily use the ample free time to keep themselves busy with constructive activities in order to do better in their academic and professional lives.
Many students start preparing for college or university admission tests as soon as the exam results are out. Apart from the admission test hassle, there are a number of fun and creative activities that one can get into. Engaging in such activities not only ensures an enjoyable time, but one also gets to learn different things at the same time. So, don’t waste your time being a couch potato during the gap. Instead, get out there and do something! Study a foreign language or a craft, hone your sporting skills or learn a new one, or even earn some extra money to help with fees or living expenses while you are about it.
Here are some ideas for gap-time activities, compiled by Y&I, which you may consider getting involved in:

Swimming

Swimming is a lifesaving skill that we all need to learn. According to studies, Bangladesh, a country crisscrossed with hundreds of rivers and canals, has one of the highest drowning rates in the world. More than 17,000 children drown every year – nearly 50 a day _ in our country, according to the Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey.
Bangladesh is a riverine country, so it’s quite natural that we should all know how to swim. But unfortunately, that is not that case nowadays. Our forefathers mostly learned to swim in rivers and ponds in the villages. Due to unplanned urbanisation and rush of people to the towns and cities, we have lost most water bodies like ponds and lakes. Many rivers and canals have dried up or simply turned too toxic to swim in. But we do have swimming pools in most major cities, especially in the capital.
Dhaka University has its own swimming complex that offers courses for a minimal fee. Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur and Sultana Kamal Women Sports Complex in Dhanmondi are also popular among students. Many hotels and private clubs also offer swimming lessons, but that maybe a bit expensive. Besides being a lifesaving skill, swimming has numerous health benefits as well.          
Self-defence

Learning self-defence is a pretty awesome way to keep oneself busy and acquire ultra cool skills at the same time. There are many institutions that offer martial arts courses like judo, taekwondo or karate at reasonable prices.

First-aid

Many organisations like Red Crescent Society or Scouts and Guides and some NGOs impart first-aid courses, so you can not only invest your time in a worthwhile cause, but be able to save a life, if ever required.

Vocational training

Different institutes have courses in practical subjects like electronics, programming, graphic designing, interior decoration, motor mechanics, baking /cooking, or even make-up and hair-cutting.

Music

Many opt to learn a musical instrument in their free time. There are a number of music schools, run by professional musicians who offer lessons in how to play different instruments. Some of cultural centres, like Alliance Française de Dhaka, offer piano and classical guitar lessons. Of course, one can always run down to the local musical instrument shop and buy whatever he or she has always wanted to play, and take lessons online.    

Fine Arts

Those who have interest in the fine arts, can utilise the spare time to learn the basics of painting or sculpture. There are numerous art schools around the capital, many run by students of Dhaka University’s Fine Arts Faculty (Charukola). This writer talked to such a student, Mamun Islam, who teaches budding artists. Mamun told Y&I that after the HSC exams are over, he starts giving lessons to new students.
“This helps them to prepare if they plan to study fine arts at university,” Mamun said.
Painting can be a fun and relaxing activity. Many shops around Dhaka sell art supplies. One can easily find paint, paper, brushes and other accessories at relatively manageable prices at Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh, New Market and Nilkhet.  

Photography

Photography is one of the most popular trends among the youth right now. Everyone with a smart phone has access to a camera, thus, taking pictures is only a touch away. You can learn more about photography from various sources. There are countless sites online offering various tips about taking better pictures. Almost every public or private university has its own photography club, so there is no shortage of help.
Of course, if you want to take it a little more seriously, then you can consider taking some courses. There are a number of institutions all around the city that do photography courses for a decent amount of fee.

Hotel management and catering  
Doing hotel management and culinary courses have their own benefits, they require a short time and you get to learn about different subjects. Such courses are in high demand now as they can open up new job opportunities in the tourism sector.

Magic    

Those who want to emulate Jewel Aich or David Blaine and surprise family or friends at parties, they can very easily learn a trick or two at a very low cost. Shantinagar and Bashundhara City mall are two places in the city where you can find props for magic tricks and also learn the basics of the art. You can always go online and check out the secrets behind popular tricks on different youtube channels.

Foreign languages

Learning another language can be fun and handy at the same time. Knowing a foreign language not only makes you look cool in front of your peers, but it also gives you the opportunity to move ahead in your future career, make some money as translators or interpreters, or avail of scholarships from various universities around the world.
International cultural centres offer different language courses, such as French at the Alliance Française, German at the Goethe-Institut or Chinese at the Confucius Institute. You can even improve your English-language skills with different courses at the British Council. The Institute of Modern Languages (IML) at Dhaka University and the language departments of some private universities also teach various languages, including Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Urdu or Hindi.  
Sports

Playing any sort of sport is an ideal way to keep oneself fit and healthy. There is no harm in increasing your physical as well as mental strength, while having a lot of fun! Football or tennis, for example, are great ways to pass your time and also have a nice workout. Competing in any sport teaches you to think on the go. It is also a great way of increasing one’s level of concentration, endurance and self-esteem.
Many public sports centres or local parks offer running, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, basketball or gym facilities. So, don’t let the empty fields go astray folks. Put on your trainers and start exercising!
You can also take yoga or dance classes. Yoga is a very relaxing way of flexing muscles and limbs, and keeping your body and mind together. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and many private gyms give yoga lessons. Many cultural centres also offer courses in classical and modern dances, which are not only a good way to relief stress, but also improve reflexes.

Part-time jobs

Today, not all young people wait till they get their higher degrees to get a job. Not so long ago, offering private tuition to younger kids was the most common and accepted part-time job for high school graduates. But the scenario has changed. Nowadays, educated youths work in various places, like restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, junior schools, youth-based organisations, event management companies, etc.
Many large companies encourage young people to work as interns. That ensures better professional skills, extra credit on your CV and some cash in your wallet. The thing about part-time jobs is, sometimes, it is hard to know about your options. So, it is advisable to keep tabs online and maintain communication with friends or family who may help.                

Outsourcing

These days, outsourcing is a new and popular way to earn quick money. One of the best things about it is you can work from anywhere you like. There are many outsourcing websites, some international and some local. Sites like Guru, Elance, Fiverr and oDesk, and now Upwork, are among the most popular among youths working as freelancers. So, log into a site that best suits you, fill up the form, select the service you can provide and start knocking employers.

Post-Exam Activities

Sheikh Iraj After completing any major examinations, like SSC and HSC, or O and A levels, students get some time on their hands before they start their next phase of studies. One can easily use the ample free time to keep themselves busy with constructive activities in order to do better in their academic and professional lives. Many students start preparing for college or university admission tests as soon as the exam results are out. Apart from the admission test hassle, there are a number of fun and creative activities that one can get into. Engaging in such activities not only ensures an enjoyable time, but one also gets to learn different things at the same time. So, dont waste your time being a couch potato during the gap. Instead, get out there and do something! Study a foreign language or a craft, hone your sporting skills or learn a new one, or even earn some extra money to help with fees or living expenses while you are about it. Here are some ideas for gap-time activities, compiled by YI, which you may consider getting involved in: Swimming Swimming is a lifesaving skill that we all need to learn. According to studies, Bangladesh, a country crisscrossed with hundreds of rivers and canals, has one of the highest drowning rates in the world. More than 17,000 children drown every year nearly 50 a day _ in our country, according to the Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey. Bangladesh is a riverine country, so its quite natural that we should all know how to swim. But unfortunately, that is not that case nowadays. Our forefathers mostly learned to swim in rivers and ponds in the villages. Due to unplanned urbanisation and rush of people to the towns and cities, we have lost most water bodies like ponds and lakes. Many rivers and canals have dried up or simply turned too toxic to swim in. But we do have swimming pools in most major cities, especially in the capital. Dhaka University has its own swimming complex that offers courses for a minimal fee. Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur and Sultana Kamal Women Sports Complex in Dhanmondi are also popular among students. Many hotels and private clubs also offer swimming lessons, but that maybe a bit expensive. Besides being a lifesaving skill, swimming has numerous health benefits as well. Self-defence Learning self-defence is a pretty awesome way to keep oneself busy and acquire ultra cool skills at the same time. There are many institutions that offer martial arts courses like judo, taekwondo or karate at reasonable prices. First-aid Many organisations like Red Crescent Society or Scouts and Guides and some NGOs impart first-aid courses, so you can not only invest your time in a worthwhile cause, but be able to save a life, if ever required. Vocational training Different institutes have courses in practical subjects like electronics, programming, graphic designing, interior decoration, motor mechanics, baking /cooking, or even make-up and hair-cutting. Music Many opt to learn a musical instrument in their free time. There are a number of music schools, run by professional musicians who offer lessons in how to play different instruments. Some of cultural centres, like Alliance Franaise de Dhaka, offer piano and classical guitar lessons. Of course, one can always run down to the local musical instrument shop and buy whatever he or she has always wanted to play, and take lessons online. Fine Arts Those who have interest in the fine arts, can utilise the spare time to learn the basics of painting or sculpture. There are numerous art schools around the capital, many run by students of Dhaka Universitys Fine Arts Faculty (Charukola). This writer talked to such a student, Mamun Islam, who teaches budding artists. Mamun told YI that after the HSC exams are over, he starts giving lessons to new students. This helps them to prepare if they plan to study fine arts at university, Mamun said. Painting can be a fun and relaxing activity. Many shops around Dhaka sell art supplies. One can easily find paint, paper, brushes and other accessories at relatively manageable prices at Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh, New Market and Nilkhet. Photography Photography is one of the most popular trends among the youth right now. Everyone with a smart phone has access to a camera, thus, taking pictures is only a touch away. You can learn more about photography from various sources. There are countless sites online offering various tips about taking better pictures. Almost every public or private university has its own photography club, so there is no shortage of help. Of course, if you want to take it a little more seriously, then you can consider taking some courses. There are a number of institutions all around the city that do photography courses for a decent amount of fee. Hotel management and catering Doing hotel management and culinary courses have their own benefits, they require a short time and you get to learn about different subjects. Such courses are in high demand now as they can open up new job opportunities in the tourism sector. Magic Those who want to emulate Jewel Aich or David Blaine and surprise family or friends at parties, they can very easily learn a trick or two at a very low cost. Shantinagar and Bashundhara City mall are two places in the city where you can find props for magic tricks and also learn the basics of the art. You can always go online and check out the secrets behind popular tricks on different youtube channels. Foreign languages Learning another language can be fun and handy at the same time. Knowing a foreign language not only makes you look cool in front of your peers, but it also gives you the opportunity to move ahead in your future career, make some money as translators or interpreters, or avail of scholarships from various universities around the world. International cultural centres offer different language courses, such as French at the Alliance Franaise, German at the Goethe-Institut or Chinese at the Confucius Institute. You can even improve your English-language skills with different courses at the British Council. The Institute of Modern Languages (IML) at Dhaka University and the language departments of some private universities also teach various languages, including Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Urdu or Hindi. Sports Playing any sort of sport is an ideal way to keep oneself fit and healthy. There is no harm in increasing your physical as well as mental strength, while having a lot of fun! Football or tennis, for example, are great ways to pass your time and also have a nice workout. Competing in any sport teaches you to think on the go. It is also a great way of increasing ones level of concentration, endurance and self-esteem. Many public sports centres or local parks offer running, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, basketball or gym facilities. So, dont let the empty fields go astray folks. Put on your trainers and start exercising! You can also take yoga or dance classes. Yoga is a very relaxing way of flexing muscles and limbs, and keeping your body and mind together. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and many private gyms give yoga lessons. Many cultural centres also offer courses in classical and modern dances, which are not only a good way to relief stress, but also improve reflexes. Part-time jobs Today, not all young people wait till they get their higher degrees to get a job. Not so long ago, offering private tuition to younger kids was the most common and accepted part-time job for high school graduates. But the scenario has changed. Nowadays, educated youths work in various places, like restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, junior schools, youth-based organisations, event management companies, etc. Many large companies encourage young people to work as interns. That ensures better professional skills, extra credit on your CV and some cash in your wallet. The thing about part-time jobs is, sometimes, it is hard to know about your options. So, it is advisable to keep tabs online and maintain communication with friends or family who may help. Outsourcing These days, outsourcing is a new and popular way to earn quick money. One of the best things about it is you can work from anywhere you like. There are many outsourcing websites, some international and some local. Sites like Guru, Elance, Fiverr and oDesk, and now Upwork, are among the most popular among youths working as freelancers. So, log into a site that best suits you, fill up the form, select the service you can provide and start knocking employers.