What to Do After Year 12: Productive Ways to Spend the Summer Before University

Andy Li
Nov 12
3 min read

Finishing Year 12 is a huge milestone — you’ve survived exams, submitted your final assignments, and made it through the chaos of VCE. But once the celebrations die down, many students find themselves asking: what now?

Here are some smart (and enjoyable) ways to make the most of your post-Year 12 break.

1. First: Take Time to Rest — You’ve Earned It

Before jumping into anything new, give yourself permission to pause. The last year of school is intense, both mentally and emotionally. Taking a few weeks to rest, sleep, and do things you enjoy can help reset your motivation before university starts.

Go on a trip with friends, spend time outdoors, or just binge-watch a show guilt-free. Rest isn’t wasted time, it's recovery.

2. Gain Work or Volunteering Experience

A summer job can be more than a source of income as it’s a chance to develop communication, teamwork, and time management skills that will serve you well at uni.

If you can, look for work in areas related to your future field. For example:

Aspiring teachers can try tutoring or childcare roles.
Future business students might explore retail or customer service jobs.
STEM students can look for internships or volunteering in tech or research organisations.

If paid work isn’t an option, volunteering is an excellent alternative that builds your resume.

3. Travel and Explore

Many graduates choose to travel before university — whether it’s exploring Australia, backpacking overseas, or volunteering abroad. Travel encourages independence, resilience, and cultural awareness. Many graduates attest the travel they did after high school is a very rewarding experience.

4. Build Useful Life Skills

University life comes with new responsibilities. For some, this means managing money, cooking, cleaning, and organising your own schedule. This is the perfect time to practice:

Learn to cook a few staple meals.
Open a savings account and track your spending.
Learn basic time management and study strategies.

A little preparation now can make the uni transition much smoother.

5. Prepare Academically (Without Burning Out)

If you’re heading into a highly competitive or technical degree — like Engineering, Medicine, or Commerce, brushing up on core skills can give you a head start.

Consider:

Light study refreshers, like revisiting key maths or science concepts that you expect you'll need.
Free university prep courses offered online (for example, EdX has a great list of University subjects you can complete online, many of them free).
Mentoring: Connect with university students that you know, studying the same thing you want to do. Ask them which subjects they find the hardest and for any tips they might have.

6. Set Some Goals

Before the rush of university life begins, take time to think about what you want from the next few years — academically, personally, and socially.

Ask yourself:

What skills do I want to develop?
What kind of person do I want to become?
How can I balance study, wellbeing, and life?
What new hobbies or clubs do I want to join?

Setting intentions now helps you make choices aligned with your long-term goals.

Final Thoughts on what to do after Year 12

The months between Year 12 and university aren’t just a “waiting period” - they’re a unique opportunity for growth, discovery, and rest. Whether you spend them working, travelling, or preparing for uni, what matters most is using this time purposefully and meaningfully.