After spending months in classes, studying for exams, and reading every textbook the campus library holds to make the bibliography of your essay sing, the summer offers a precious reprieve for students. For some, the season presents an opportunity to unwind before the next year begins, for others, the summer months present an opportunity to further their career. Below we offer some ideas to help fill the days, no matter what you want from your summer.
By Grant Longstaff. Published 3 July 2023.
Go to a festival
The festival is a summertime staple, and the UK is full of them. Some of the larger festivals such as Glastonbury, Leeds or Reading will need advanced planning, but there are many smaller festivals held across the country and they still attract big artists. Check your local gig guides and listings, grab your wellies, and enjoy some live music with a warm cider.
Find an internship
If you’re looking to develop your skills and enhance your future employability then an internship could be a great use of your summer. It can be competitive, so persistence is the key to finding an opening. Keep an eye on recruitment websites and follow employers on social media so you’re the first to hear about opportunities. Alternatively, if you already have an organisation in mind, you could reach out to them directly and see if they have a place for you.
Travel
Would you like to go backpacking across America or go interrailing around Europe? The summer presents the perfect opportunity for you to spread your wings and explore the world. That said, there’s no denying travelling can be expensive. For travelling on a budget, we propose you use the opportunity to gather your friends together and explore your local area. There are often hidden gems right under our noses. Use TripAdvisor to find your local hotspots or check out Atlas Obscura for something a little more unusual. You can even look for local points of interest on TikTok, Instagram, or local Facebook groups.
Summer Camp
If you have a sense of adventure and would like to work abroad then you could look for a position with a Summer Camp scheme. Often the positions are voluntary and will include some costs, such as travel costs, etc. However, you’ll have the opportunity to travel, meet and work with people from around the world, get involved with a whole host of activities, and strengthen your CV. The biggest and most recognisable is Camp America, but there are camp schemes across the globe, including Europe and Australia.
Learn a new skill
How many times have you promised yourself you were going to pick up that dusty guitar or learn Japanese? Well, now the summer is here you have no more excuses. You’ll find an abundance of short courses available online, there are apps which can help with learning, and you’ll even find a host of ‘How To’ videos on YouTube. While away the hours and return to university with a new skill.
Visit friends
This might seem like an obvious suggestion. That said, if you’re lucky enough to have a bunch of university friends who have returned home for the summer, then you have a list of potential new places to visit. Spend your summer visiting your friends’ hometowns. If you’re able to stay with them for a night or two it’ll keep the cost down. What’s more, you’ll spend your time with an expert guide who can show you around the place.
Go camping
If you don’t mind ‘roughing it’ then camping could be a great way to escape the commotion of everyday life. You can load your gear into a car with a couple of friends and take a mini tour of a particular region or two. Spend your days walking trails and exploring towns and villages, then spend the night swapping university horror stories around a campfire. Make sure you book a spot on a campsite in advance to avoid disappointment.
Stay at home
If you’ve had a tough year the prospect of an action packed summer might fill you with dread. Maybe you want nothing more than to spend some time with your family. It’s important to recognise that sometimes we need the creature comforts of home. Embrace it. You can meditate, tackle your ‘to be read’ pile, binge Bridgerton, sell your unwanted clothes on Vinted, dress your cat in period costumes and take photos. Whatever you want. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself.
No matter what you choose to do, remember it’s your summer to do with as you please. Go for it. Be bold. Have an awesome summer.
If you’re a student with us and looking for summer work, contact our Employability Service for support in finding the right opportunity.
