How to make the most of Reading Week

As we are just over half way through the term, reading week is here for most of us. It can be very tempting to use the time to totally switch off since there are usually no classes, but it could also be really useful for you to make sure you get lots of work done. Of course, everyone needs a break from time to time. Perhaps not the entire week, though. Here are my 5 tips to help you make the most of reading week. 

1. Reflect on your progress so far

It can be difficult to know where to start when you don’t have your usual timetable. To help you get some direction, you may wish to consider questions such as:

– Which modules or classes do you find hardest?

– What have you devoted most of your time towards this term?

– Where have you been most successful or productive?

– Which modules or classes have the most reading?

Of course, these are just a guide and won’t work for everyone. Taking time to think about your progress and achievements so far can help you to recognise and establish strengths or gaps to focus on while you have some time without classes. Similarly, it is important to take a break. If you work constantly throughout the week, you’ll likely find yourself exhausted and therefore less motivated to work or not ready for classes to start up again. 

2. Make a schedule

As you may be able to tell by now, I prefer to have structure as it helps stop me from procrastinating (though we’re all guilty of that, sometimes). Everyone works differently, but you may find that creating a schedule, even if it’s just a list of things you want to get done that day, helps you to focus. 

3. Be sure to do some reading

Sounds obvious, but like I said, it can be tempting to totally relax and do all the things you haven’t had time for yet. Remember that Reading Week is there for a reason – to give you time to read. I realise that not every course has a lot of reading, and if that’s the case for you, you may find it more useful to focus on assignments, for example. However, whether or not your course is reading heavy, reading around the subject you’re studying (or just interested in!) can help to contextualise and add to your knowledge.

4. Start thinking about your assessments 

Reading Week can be the perfect opportunity for you to start thinking about assessments – whether that’s essays or exams. Any reading you do may help to clarify your understanding of certain topics or confirm what you’re interested in, which you might want to focus on for your assessment. To this end, you may wish to start planning them in order to avoid thinking about both planning and writing essays towards the end of term.

5. Schedule in something you haven’t been able to do so far this term

Use the class-free week as a chance to do something you haven’t been able to do much this term. This could be catching up with friends, attending a society meeting, having a careers advice appointment or exploring off-campus, for example. Whilst it might not be wise to just do these types of things, keep in mind that it may be harder to find the time to do activities like these later on. 

I hope you have found these times useful. As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. However you decide to spend it, I hope everyone has a great reading week!

Ellie