Making The Most Of The Summer Break

The academic year has finished, and for many, it’s time for a well-earned break. This is the perfect time to focus on doing some things that are good for you right now, to rest, recuperate, and be ready for next year.   

If you’re planning on partying all summer long, remember we have advice available to help you make informed decisions about staying safe on a night out, your mental wellbeing, alcohol consumption, and sexual health.   

Gain Work Experience 

​​For many, the summer break will be an opportunity to earn some money in preparation for the year ahead and gain some valuable work experience. Not only does it strengthen your CV, but it also provides you with insights into your field of interest, helping you make more informed career choices. 

The university’s Careers Service advertises jobs and vacation schemes/internships if you are in the process of searching for one. We understand that the job market is tight at the moment, but we advise you to keep an open mind when applying for jobs or placements. You can also book an appointment with the Careers team if you need help with your CV or preparation for the job application process.  

If you’re a final year student looking at the next chapter of your life, check out the Wellbeing Workshop from the Careers Service on Wellbeing & Support for Life After University.  

Now’s a good time to brush up on your employment rights to make sure you know how to deal with any issues- check out this super handy article from Save the Student to learn more, and remember that you can access lots of advice and information about your employment rights from ​Citizens Advice​​ or ACAS.​​​  

Volunteering is also an excellent way to keep busy over the summer break. Helping others is great for your wellbeing, gives you a sense of purpose, and it can help build up your CV. Have a look at the different types of volunteering opportunities you can get involved with.  

Moving Accommodation 

You may also be moving out of your student house, which can be a stressful experience. That’s why we’ve put together a Leaving Guide to make this experience as seamless as possible and help you avoid any issues when checking out.  

Make sure you’ve planned out:  

• How and when you will move your things  

• What needs to be packed first  

• Agreements with your housemates about bills and cleaning  

• Checking the inventory to make sure you return the property in the same state as when you received it.   

If you have any issues with your landlord or estate agent trying to take unfair deductions from your deposit​ get in touch with us for more advice. If you’re moving into a new house, we also have lots of information available on our website to help you with the process.  

Preparing for the next academic year  

If you have academic work to get done over the break, whether that be resitting examinations, finishing off your dissertation or completing research, it’s important to maintain a good work/life balance. Here are our top tips for building a healthy routine:  

• Work out what you need to get done over the break and split this into manageable sections to tackle one at a time.  

• Make sure to build in time each day to go outside - getting enough sunlight will be invaluable to boost your mood and getting exercise each day will help to tackle any holiday stresses.  

• Focus less on productivity - while this may seem counterintuitive, beating yourself up when you don’t manage to get everything on your to-do list for the day done won’t be helpful in the long run.   

• Practice digital wellbeing to keep an eye on how you’re engaging with social media.  

• Make time every day to practice self-care ​– check out our Wellbeing Workshop on Self-Care Tips  

We’re here for you 

Lastly, don’t forget that you’re not alone. We know the holidays can be a difficult time for many people, for various reasons. If you’re finding it difficult to cope, there are services available over the break to offer you support. The Advice Centre are still around throughout the summer. Pop in to speak to us at the SU or contact us via email at advice@su.rhul.ac.uk to arrange an appointment. 

The University’s Student Wellbeing service is confidential and free for you to use. Their team is available over the summer period to offer support - just drop them an email.  

In the event of a mental health crisis, the emergency services can be contacted at any time by calling 999. For advice about urgent issues, you can also call 111. The Samaritans also offer 24/7 support, just call 116 123, or email them at ​​jo@samaritans.org​.  

Additionally, Student Space (from Student Minds) are offering free phone, email and live chat support from 4​pm ​-11pm and 24/7 text support, as well as loads of useful resources for students during the summer break.  

For LGBT+ students who may be experiencing difficulty at home, Outline Surrey offer a helpline on 0800 06 12345.   

If you’re experiencing domestic violence or abuse, Refuge has a 24/7 helpline on 0808 2000 247, and a live chat available weekday evenings. In an emergency, always contact 999.