“It was the summer of ’26”: A guide for university summers

Everyone wants the perfect summer. The summer that we romanticise in our heads with perfect days filled with endless moments to look back on and say: “That was the best summer.”

However, university summers can feel long,  like watching paint-dry long. See, comes danger when days blur together, and suddenly it’s September, and when someone asks, “What did you do this summer?” and you run the risk of ending up saying, “Absolutely nothing.”

Ordering takeaway three times a week is suddenly “socially unacceptable”

You’ve got three months: around 90 days without deadlines, structure, or long seminars. It sounds amazing… until it isn’t.

In my first week at university, I realised something unsettling: everyone else seemed ten steps ahead. ‘Getting ahead’ had clearly been taken too seriously. You hear stories of people locked in their rooms applying for spring weeks- shirts and ties on top, joggers on the bottom – spending hours sending applications. Then there’s LinkedIn: the platform that hypes you up one minute, then has you comparing your life to someone you’ve never met. When summer arrives and your feed fills with “I got a ten-week internship” or “I’m shadowing here,” it’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind.

There’s also a shift in independence. Ordering takeaway three times a week is suddenly “socially unacceptable,” according to your mum, and 10pm becomes the new 2am. Summer is supposed to be the best time of year, and honestly, it is. It’s enjoying the sun, spending time with friends and family, or simply sleeping in a little longer. But how do we make sure we don’t waste it?

Holidays are often the first thought during exam season, and for good reason. They’re a strong motivation through long nights of studying. The key is deciding what kind of trip you actually want.

City breaks are a classic. Wandering cobbled streets in Italy, drinking overpriced coffee in Paris, pretending you know where you’re going when you don’t. Many students opt for European destinations like Budapest for its bars, Berlin for its nightlife, or Lisbon for its sunshine. A rough plan- or even a checklist- can make the trip more rewarding, especially with friends.

Of course, student budgets don’t always match holiday plans

Then there’s the beach. Salt in the air, hair wet from the sea, sand sticking to your skin. After a long day, you shower and notice the tan lines – that’s when you know summer has truly begun. Places like Croatia, with its clear waters, or Sicily, with its sandy beaches, are popular choices.

Of course, student budgets don’t always match holiday plans. Summer is also peak season for jobs, with industries like hospitality and tourism hiring extra staff. Start by updating your CV and adding any university experience, from societies to event planning. Job platforms like Indeed or E4S Student Jobs are useful for finding part-time or full-time roles.

You could also take an online course. Platforms like Springpod or Coursera offer short courses that help you explore interests or build skills without too much pressure.

Just remember, there is a difference between intentionally resting and letting the days pass you by unnoticed

Music is another way people connect. Festivals and concerts are a summer staple, especially with longer days and better weather. Many look forward to UK festivals like Glastonbury or Parklife. But it doesn’t have to be that big- sharing a playlist with friends in a park or garden can be just as enjoyable.

And then there is not doing much. Taking some time to rest can be a lot more beneficial than some might thing. It is important to sleep properly or maybe catch up on that tv show you love. Resting after a very stressful and draining term can have its benefits to feel ready for when you come back to university or move on to the next chapter of your life. Just remember, the is a difference between intentionally resting and letting the days pass you by unnoticed.

The biggest mistake is expecting summer to just happen. It’s not a film- you won’t stumble into the perfect storyline. A bit of planning helps. Write down a few things you want to do, whether that’s trying something new or simply making time for friends before life gets busy again.

We’ve all said, “I just don’t have the time.” Now you do, so make the most of it.