Some of us are blessed with so much free time that we don’t know what to do with it. For example, take University students in Nigeria who have always been on strike; therefore most of the time spent their days watching movies and ranting on social media over things they cannot control.
This is such a pity considering the myriad of skills they can learn during this period – important skills that can make their lives much better.
It is with this in mind that I compiled this list of 10 easy but super important skills you can learn in under a month. Perhaps you are blessed with so much free time you wish you have something to do. I believe this list will solve your dilemma.
1. Coding
Websites like Codeacademy allows you to learn to program. You can learn HTML, PHP, CSS, Phyton, Java, etc. in a short period of time. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never coded a thing in your life, the easy to use and intuitive interface will get you going in no time. Coding will soon become, or it has already become a basic literacy in the 21st century. The more computer literate you are, the better you will fit in.
2. Driving
If you don’t know how to drive, this is a good time as any to get yourself into a driving school or employ the help of a friend. It shouldn’t take you more than a week to learn the basics of this essential skill. Though the emphasis is now reducing the emission of carbon, meaning the fewer cars on the streets, the better, learning to drive will definitely be a lifesaver in ever increasing growing cities of our time.
3. A foreign language
I can swear by the efficacy of the Duolingo app when it comes to learning the basics of another language in a short period of time. If you have some money to put into it, Babel is another excellent option to consider. Here is a list of some apps that can help you easily learn a language.
You never can tell when the need for you to speak a foreign language will surface. You can always get yourself prepared. More than that, learning an additional language will increase your employability chances.
4. Cooking
Guys, cooking is not a skill meant for the ladies alone. It is a fundamental skill necessary for your survival. Having put that misperception aside, one month is more than enough time for you to learn how to cook all the important meals you eat and some. Most of the great chefs out there are men.
5. Sewing
You and I know how frustrating it is to have to wait for a tailor for even the most basic amendments to your clothes. How much easier will your life become if you can do it yourself in 0.1% of the time, it will typically take a tailor?
6. First aid
Basic first aid skills can help you save people’s lives, especially since most people know nothing about them. With frequent road accidents and other forms of disasters every day, how to save life will be an essential skill to learn. Make sure you learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) while you’re at it.
7. Swimming
While we’re talking about saving other people’s lives, let’s not forget yours. I don’t need to tell you how important it is to learn how not to die in water bodies that are deeper than you’re tall. Unless you live around a river area or you take time to go to the swimming pool if you have one around, learning to swim can be daunting. Do whatever you can to get hold of swimming.
8. Photo and video editing
In this age of digital communication, this is a skill that will not just help you become cooler than your friends; you stand to make a lot of money from it if you know your way. With a simple Google search for free Softwares you can use for these, you’ll have enough options to get started.
9. Basic computer skills
If you still don’t know basic computer skills like excel, word, PowerPoint, then you should understand how outlandish this sounds in this day and age. Please get yourself to a computer and rectify this very terrible mistake. Buy a laptop if you can and give it a go. Also, enrol in computer training around you. It’s not that difficult.
10. Martial arts
And why not? Learning how not to get beaten up by the bad guys should be a very coveted skill right? Then why aren’t you considering it? While you won’t mainly become a black belt in one month, the basic skill you’ll learn will help you in self-defence if the need ever arise.
If you have the time, there are hundreds and more skills you can. But learning these five is considered a basic survival norm of today. I recommend you also check out this article about seven basic skills every student should learn.
