My assignments have been returned, and I am once again lost to the void that is the summer holiday. What people don’t tell you about doing a university degree is that the moment you’re done for the year, you feel as though you’ve lost your purpose. The timetabled routine you had finally gotten into the groove of is now null. No required reading to do (for now), no emails to send. You can finally relax. Sort of.

In the past, I have used the summer holiday as an excuse to be lazy in the name of relaxation. This year I plan to change this mindset and have a productive and positive summer holiday. In order to do this, I’ve started moulding a new routine for myself. I also thought it would be beneficial to share my day in the life for any fellow students out there who also feel a bit of a lack of purpose at this time of year. I see you, I get you. Let’s survive this summer together!

One of my main problems in the summer holiday is attention to my sleep schedule. Sure, the late nights out and staying up until early morning feels adventurous and fun in the moment. But when I’m tasked with getting out of bed the next day…the regret sinks in. And yet, the cycle repeats inevitably. However, this summer holiday, I’ve changed this habit.

Morning

I begin my day, by getting out of bed as soon as I wake up. I do not check my phone, nor do I stare at the ceiling. Instead, I get up and I brush my teeth. A task like brushing your teeth or washing your face is not only a good habit, but it’s something I find wakes me up and instils a positive mindset early on in the day. And whilst I’m in the bathroom, I will even sometimes get in the shower though I much prefer to shower before bed. Once these little tasks are done, I then take my phone with me downstairs.

I make a point to not get back into bed once I have gotten up. That is an easy way, to lose another two hours of your day. The summer holiday goes by in a flash, before you know it, the chill mornings will be gone. Cherish every hour you get. Once I open up the curtains and windows in the living room, I then check my messages, emails, and various notifications. I make it certain that I do not open any short-form media apps like TikTok or Instagram in the first few hours of my day. This helps me to avoid getting sucked into mindless scrolling – which could derail my day far too early.

After a bit of breakfast, I treat myself to a task I enjoy doing. This can be anything from watching an episode of a show I like, playing a game or even baking. Yes, I want a productive summer holiday, but points of relaxation and enjoyment are integral to life. It is at this point that I let my morning go by with no restrictions. Making sure I get some personal time before redirecting myself at lunch time.

Afternoon

I try not to set a time for lunch, just because when I do I tend to not feel hungry by then. With it being the summer holiday, I now have plenty of time to plan and cook proper meals. On the days I attended university, I found that I skipped lunch entirely due to my timetable. This was an awful habit, and one I’m hoping to recorrect over the holiday and through to my third year. I will often have something light for lunch as I enjoy a grander tea. So, most of the time I will make chicken with salad or rice.

After my lunch, I then find a productive task to engage with. Typically, I use this time to tidy up my living room and kitchen. But given the free time I have, I also have been trying to develop my French and Spanish. I’ve also been trying new things like crafting; experimenting with recipes and poetry. Before I waste away my summer holiday, I’ve been collecting my resources and ideas for my final major project in preparation for my final year. Sandwiching my entertainment and productivity throughout the day prevents me from burning out and losing motivation. If there’s one thing I could recommend you, it would be to establish that balance. With balance, the tough aspects of the day become less daunting. The fun aspects become more exciting.

This is also the time I try to get some writing in. I dedicate time every day to journaling. Writing about how I feel that day, or about certain situations. I sometimes jot down ideas for future projects and such. If I’m feeling adventurous or even a little bit cooped up in the house, I’ll walk to the nearby park and try and write about something there. The summer weather is gorgeous and super inspiring. I’ve definitely been taking advantage of it.

Evening

Before the summer holiday, I didn’t have a routine for winding down. By the time I wanted to go to bed, it felt like my mind and body wasn’t ready yet. I’d often spend a few hours scrolling through apps or watching YouTube videos. To amend my evening routine, I have made a point of charging my phone before bed and leaving it on my nightstand rather than going on it in bed. The detachment of making my bed a “No-Phone Zone”, has helped me to settle into the tame atmosphere of the night.

This is also where I get the opportunity to write a little bit more as it is a perfect task I can do without a screen. Whether it’s another entry in my journal or just a flash piece of prose, I find it calms my brain down from a day of activities. Once this is done, I floss, brush my teeth and wash my face before tucking myself in and closing my eyes for the night.

I’ve noticed my sleep fluctuating a lot recently. The summer weather could be to blame, or perhaps I’ve just got a lot on my plate. But I am hoping in time, this routine helps me get the sleep and progression that I need. I want to be in my best form for the year ahead, especially in the writing aspect. To achieve this, I need to look after myself.

Final Thoughts

This is by no means, the perfect summer holiday routine for everyone. This is just what is working for me currently. As always, feel free to try out some of these techniques like sandwiching tasks and reducing screentime. I’ve felt much better having done so.

Happy Reading!

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