Studying in Summer: How to Make the Most of the Summer Break

The summer holidays are an important time for you to rest, recuperate and recharge your batteries.

But they’re also a valuable chance for you to get a leg-up on the next academic year.

Here, we’ll cover all you need to know about studying in summer – from the dos and don’ts to some top summer study tips to help you maximise your time off. 

Is studying in the summer worth it?

Yes, studying over the summer break is oh-so-worth it.

The summer holidays in the UK are long – typically lasting for a whopping six weeks. 

Making the most of this time to study can benefit learners in all sorts of different ways – for instance…

• Allowing you to catch up with peers if you’re behind
• Preparing you for the academic year ahead
• Giving you a headstart on your future
• Developing new skills and interests
• Giving you a sense of achievement
• Preventing summer slide (learning loss that typically occurs over the summer break)

Ultimately, every learner is different and will have different goals and interests.

But these six weeks (or more) are there for you to leverage to your advantage – whether you feel you need a leg up on the year ahead or you’re keen to develop a new skill.

Yes, it’s important that you leave time to relax and recuperate. After all, the last thing you want is to return to education in September already burnt out!

But with all that spare time at your disposal, you don’t need to choose between your studies and rest. Rather, there’s plenty of time for both!

The dos and don’ts of studying during summer

Check out these dos and don’ts to make sure you approach studying during summer in the healthiest and most productive way.

Do…

… Make a schedule

Creating a schedule will help to ensure you don’t get to the end of the summer holidays without having actually achieved what you wanted to!

So, timetable your study plans and make sure to leave plenty of room for breaks too!

… Set goals

Deciding what you want to achieve this summer will help you to approach your studies with focus.

Once you’ve set goals, you can even build in rewards to give yourself an incentive to work hard and get stuff done!

… Be realistic

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Instead, be clear about what you want to get done, and make sure that it’s manageable.

Remember, the summer holidays are bonus study time, so there’s no need to break your back.

… Plan things you enjoy

The summer holidays are an important chance to unwind. So, plan lots of activities that you enjoy.

Whether it’s spending time with friends and family, taking a trip to a theme park, or doing your favourite hobby, it’s important to have some fun this summer!

… Be selfish with your time

Although the summer holidays are long, that time is precious. So, guard it selfishly.

It’s okay to say no to plans that won’t be fun, relaxing, or help you reach your study goals.

Don’t…

… Overdo it

The last thing you need is to return to full-time education in September feeling exhausted and burnt out.

So, don’t overdo it. Instead, be discerning about the studying you choose to do, and focus on manageable tasks that can make the biggest difference.

… Forget to relax

We all need to rest and recuperate after a period of hard work.

So, remember to plan plenty of breaks and activities you enjoy, to strike the perfect balance between studying and downtime.

… Be afraid to try new things

As well as using the summer holidays to get ahead on your schoolwork, you might want to take the opportunity to try something new.

For instance, now could be the perfect time to learn how to code or to further your understanding in AI technologies. After all, digital skills like this could certainly open up job opportunities in the future!

… Struggle alone

Just because school’s out for summer, that doesn’t mean you can’t get professional help and guidance when it comes to your studies.

Our handpicked tutors are experts at bringing their subjects to life and can tailor sessions to your skills, goals and timeline.

10 Summer study tips to maximise (and enjoy!) your time

Wondering how you can further your studies without breaking your back this summer?

While brushing up on what you learned over the last academic year – or looking ahead at next year’s syllabus – are certainly useful activities to help you get ahead, you don’t have to have your nose in a textbook to keep up your studies.

Here are some educational yet enjoyable activities that can help you make the most of your summer break.

1. Read books

Research has shown that learners who don’t read at all over the summer could lose reading skills equivalent to as much as an entire grade level. Meanwhile, those who read at least six books can maintain or even improve their reading skills.

Not only is reading books enjoyable, but it’ll also help you to improve your vocabulary, SPAG and writing skills.

Choosing books that you’ll actually enjoy reading is a great way to incentivise you to pick those books up whenever you have a spare moment.

However, you can also be savvy about your reading choices. For instance, if you’re studying English Lit next year, you could make a start on the books that you’re going to be covering in class. 

Alternatively, you could take the opportunity to read non-fiction books about a subject or topic you’re interested in. The sky’s the limit!

2. Stay up-to-date with the news

It’s always handy to keep up-to-date with the news, so you know what’s going on in the world.

However, it can also be helpful from an educational standpoint, as you’ll be able to make sure you’re in the know when it comes to any developments about subjects you’re going to be studying next year.

For instance, if you’re going to be taking sciences, it could be handy to find out about new scientific discoveries.

And of course, if you’re going to be taking economics or politics, stories about current affairs will give you good background knowledge in preparation for the year ahead.

Watch the news, listen to it on the radio, or read a newspaper once a day to stay on top of new developments and keep your brain in action.

3. Attend a summer school

A summer school can be a great way to boost your knowledge and skillset, while making new friends.

Academic summer schools can be subject-specific (if you’re struggling with a specific subject at school) or cover a range of academic topics (if you want to broaden your general knowledge).

Meanwhile, you can also learn valuable skills from vocational summer schools and camps – whether it’s performing arts, sports, or adventure.

Either way, you’ll benefit from developing your skills in a short, sharp burst, while having fun.

4. Set yourself a summer project

Is there something you’ve always wanted to achieve, but you simply haven’t had the time? Make that your summer project!

Whether it’s writing a book, inventing something, building a website or learning a new craft (like crocheting), the long summer holidays are a fantastic opportunity.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be directly linked to your academic subjects in order to be a learning activity.

Learning how to set your mind on something and working hard to achieve a goal are valuable skills that will stand you in good stead throughout your future studies and career!

5. Find a summer tutor

Just because school’s out, that doesn’t mean you can’t find someone to actively teach you what you want to learn.

A tutor is the perfect cross between a teacher and a mentor.

They’ll know how to bring their subject to life in a way that engages and inspires you – and that doesn’t feel like school!

They’ll also tailor each session to your strengths, weaknesses, goals and interests, so you can make the biggest improvement in the shortest amount of time and get exactly what you want out of your time together.

6. Take yourself on educational trips

Fancy getting out of the house and exploring somewhere new?

Make it an educational activity and head to somewhere that will broaden your horizons and get your mind working.

For instance, it could be a…

• Historic site
• Museum
• Planetarium
• Wildlife reserve
• Concert
• Library
• Play

Any opportunity to immerse yourself in new places and experiences will come with a chance to learn something new.

7. Form a summer book club

We’ve already touched on the importance of reading during the summer holidays. Why not go a step further and form a summer book club?

Pick a new book to read roughly once a fortnight and then get together to discuss what you all thought about it.

You can even come up with some questions in advance to prompt the discussion – or find some talking points online.

Not only will this prompt you to think and talk critically about literature, but it’ll also give you a regular get-together with your friends, making this an activity that ticks both those ‘study’ and ‘relaxation’ boxes.

8. Sharpen up your language skills

If you’re studying a language (or several!), the summer holidays will come with plenty of opportunities to hone your skills.

Firstly, if you’re heading off abroad for a well-deserved holiday, why not pick your destination with your language skills in mind?

Getting the chance to practise speaking with locals and to immerse yourself in the culture can give your linguistic abilities a boost and give you a huge sense of fulfilment.

If not, don’t despair. Why not put feelers out to see if you can find a language buddy closer to home? There are lots of apps that can put you in touch with a language exchange partner, or you could find a native language tutor to put you through your paces. 

Practice makes perfecta!

9. Volunteer

With so much free time over the summer holidays, consider donating some to a worthy cause.

Charities are often in need of an extra pair of hands – whether it’s helping out in a charity shop, serving in a food kitchen or walking rescue dogs.

Wherever you find yourself, volunteering can bestow you with skills you might not have the chance to learn elsewhere. 

You’ll meet people from lots of different walks of life, learn the importance of compassion, and even feel a sense of reward from giving back to your local community.

10. Pick your TV choices wisely

We get it, you’re probably going to be reaching for the TV remote a significant amount this summer.  But TV time doesn’t have to mean a lack of learning.

Think carefully about your programme choices and you may even be able to further your education while you’re slobbing out on the sofa.

For instance, you could…

• Watch documentaries
• Watch your favourite movies in another language
• Watch film adaptations of books you’re going to be studying next year

 Whoever said TV was a distraction just didn’t pick the right things to watch!

Find a tutor to bring your summer studying to life

As you can see, there are so many opportunities to further your learning during the summer holidays.

And studying in summer can make all the difference when it comes to setting you up for success next year.

If you need a helping hand catching up with your peers this summer – or learning a whole new skill – our handpicked tutors are here to support you.

They’ll be able to design bespoke sessions to boost your learning and confidence this summer, so you can reach your goals ready for the next phase of your learning journey.

FAQs

Is studying in the summer good?

Yes, studying in the summer is a good call. It can help you to prevent learning loss, catch up with peers, get a headstart on the next academic year, and even learn new skills that will stand you in good stead in your future studies and career.

Is summer school a thing in the UK?

Yes, summer school is definitely a thing in the UK. Many secondary schools and universities offer summer school programmes to provide learners with a taste of what their future studies might be like, or prepare them for the year ahead.

How can I focus 100% on studying?

The best way to focus fully when you’re studying is to eliminate distractions. For many learners, this might include leaving your phone in another room when you’re studying, or getting rid of distracting noises with a pair of noise cancelling headphones.