Term 3 – post-exams

After nine months of hard work and a term of exams, when you finally close that last exam paper, it’s incredibly rewarding. I love my degree and it’s always sad to come to the end of a year, but it’s also really exciting – because it’s the start of whatever’s coming next. For me, that’s my year abroad. But for others, it might be what’s going on at Warwick during the summer – which tends to be lots events and opportunities. Here are a few that you can take a look at: 

1. Summer schools or programmes

Warwick offers a range of summer programmes that can add to your CV and help fill up the few months over summer. Last year, I took part in one of the Alliance Intensive Summer Programme modules, which was run by Warwick and Monash University online. It was virtual, so whilst giving me more research and international experience, I was also able to be involved in other things and do my part-time job at the same time. Also, Warwick has a wealth of connections abroad, so you can often travel to different countries to do research or programmes. I worked with Berkeley last year on a virtual programme, but that would have been in-person if not for Covid. Just make sure not to overdo it on the summer schools too – summer is also a chance to rest.

2. Campus clubnights

Much less academic than the former, but it’s important to have a lot of fun during the summer as well. Exams are intense and they are hard work, and planning evenings out for one you are finished massively helped me and my friends to get through exam season. You’ll tend to finish early enough to go to the last Skool Dayz or last Pop! or two, and given that everyone’s celebrating the end of exams, they tend to be pretty good.

3. Society balls

Another lovely end of year tradition – and one that has only just been brought back after the pandemic – are the society balls. I attended the Sports Ball this year, which was in Birmingham – and it was a lovely evening. A lot of societies will host balls in Term 2 as well, and it can be a lovely way to end the year and say goodbye to coursemates for a while.

4. Relax

I made the mistake last year of heading straight back into academic summer schools and making no time to recover from the year – and I completely paid the price, and burnt out. After months of academia, it’s really important to take some rest. This week, my friends and I have spent time relaxing in Abbey Fields in Kenilworth, in Newbold Comyn, Leamington, and on campus. Being able just to float around and read books is much-needed after a long term of revision, and it’s important to make sure you are rested for the following year. I’ve done all I can this year to get the rest I need before I go on my year abroad. 

All in all, there’s plenty to do to fill up the few summer months – before heading back to university to start the next year and next journey.