Making the Most of Reading Week

Many university courses have a mid-semester ‘reading week’ – a break in lectures and seminars where you study independently. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when left to your own devices, so at Collegiate UK we want to give you our top tips for making the most of your time and getting the best out of reading week…

Make a Plan

It’s called reading week for a reason, so while it’s tempting to stay in bed all day and spend a week chilling out, you really want to make the most of this precious time. Having a break from lectures and seminars means you don’t have to stick to your university timetable, so start the week by making a plan. List the key publications you want to read, the most important work you want to catch up on or the subject you found hardest and want to revisit. You can make a daily schedule with a to-do list and tick things off as you go, so you’ll feel productive at the end of each day.

Take Time to Think

Reading week is a great opportunity to take stock of how your studies have gone so far this term. Take time to think about what you’ve enjoyed and what’s worked, and how you can change things to ensure the second half of the semester is even better than the first. Have you been a highly organised early riser who gets on with assignments as soon as they’re set, or are you best last minute and late at night? Everybody’s different so there’s no right answer – but make sure you know what works best for you, so you have the confidence to know you’re on top of things.

Find a Study Buddy

Sometimes it helps to partner up and study alongside somebody else, which can motivate you and also give you a chance to take breaks together for a chat or a breather. All Collegiate UK locations have study suites where you can enjoy a great working environment in which to study, without having the need to get onto campus.

Audio Books

Many titles you’ll need to study are now available on audio book – so while not technically reading this can be a great way to cram in a bit of study at a time when you might not actually be able to read a book. We’re thinking on the walk to uni, when using your accommodation gym or stuck on busy public transport. This is a clever way of making more reading time, that’s not actually reading time!

Catch Up on Chores

Having reading week usually means you’ve got more time at home. In the busy weeks at the start of term you’re usually out and about every day, and maybe every night, so reading week can give you some time to catch up on chores and make sure your living space is clean, tidy and organised. Usually, if your accommodation is comfy and clean it makes a better space for studying and learning in, as well as just making it a happier space to hang out in.

Rest

The first few weeks of term are always pretty full on – so this reading week make sure you eat, sleep and rejuvenate. Self-care is really important, and if you’re well rested, you’ll be happier and find studying easier and more enjoyable. Having a bit more time on your hands in reading week is a great time to get a few earlier nights, eat well, exercise and make sure your body is ready for the rest of term.

Finally…Celebrate!

Make sure that it’s not all studying and cleaning! If you’ve had a busy and productive day, make sure you’ve got something nice to look forward to. Maybe you can go out for a bite to eat with a friend, organise a day trip out of the city to explore a bit of nearby countryside, or even plan a visit back to see your parents and old friends who you might have started to miss. Having ways of celebrating hitting your goals is a great incentive to be productive this reading week.