How to get the most out of your summer school
Have you signed up for a summer school this vacation? Wherever you’re heading and whatever you’re studying, there’s so much to look forward to. A summer school is so much more than a way of passing the time over the school holidays, with opportunities for getting ahead with your studies, prepping your university application and making friends from around the world. Time flies when you’re having fun, so here’s how to make the most of your summer school experience while it lasts.
1. Immerse yourself in academic life
The main purpose of going on a summer school is to learn new things, so truly immersing yourself in your studies will help you make the most of your time on the programme. You’ll most likely be studying in small groups, meaning you’ll get plenty of one-to-one interaction with your tutors as well as taking part in group work with your peers. In both these contexts, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. So, maximise the value you get from your summer school experience by:
- Participating fully – be brave and get involved in group discussions. Ask questions and share your own thoughts. Put yourself forward for extra opportunities such as presenting or leading your group.
- Pick your tutors’ brains – they’re experts in their subject, so if you’re thinking of pursuing this subject at university or you’re hoping to improve your grades, now’s your chance to ask them about anything from which courses have the best reputation to what your career options might look like. Why not ask them what they wish they’d known when they were your age?
- Ask for a reading list to take away – thinking beyond your time on the course, you could request a reading list to enable you to read more widely around your subject once you go home. Your tutors may even be able to recommend some good podcasts or publications to help you dive even deeper into your chosen subject before writing your personal statement.
Whether your goal is to improve your grades or simply to explore a new subject, throwing yourself into academic life will help you make the most of this short but intensive course.
2. Choose a destination you find inspiring
You won’t be spending the whole of your summer school in the classroom, so it makes sense to choose a destination that you’re eager to experience. If you’re contemplating applying to study at a top university such as Oxford or Cambridge, choosing a summer school in one of these cities is a great way to make the most of your time away. Living and studying amidst the ‘dreaming spires’ will give you a taster of what undergraduate life would be like, helping you decide whether it’s right for you as well as inspiring you to make your application a success.
You’ll also have the chance to explore your destination and visit celebrated cultural attractions. For example, you might get a day trip to London or Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, or pay a visit to Oxford’s famous Ashmolean Museum. Make the most of these visits by being curious about what you’re seeing and keeping a journal where you can jot down your thoughts on what you’ve seen. You never know when a new place might inspire a new idea or spark something creative that you later use in your university application or future life.
3. Build friendships that last a lifetime
Your summer school experience wouldn’t be the same without the people you meet on it, and for many students, it’s the friendships made while studying that make a summer programme unforgettable. You can make the most of your summer school by building connections with fellow students from around the world – you never know, this could be the start of your future university or professional network, as well as your chance to expand your social circle with lifelong friends.
With that in mind, be proactive: introduce yourself to someone who’s sitting on their own, join in with group activities and say yes to every social event, even if you feel a bit nervous to begin with. Everyone is in the same boat! You’ve all come together to study a particular subject because you’re motivated to do well, so you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people your own age who share your curiosity and eagerness to succeed. You’ll meet people from a huge variety of cultures, giving you the chance to experience the world from different perspectives and learn about other countries’ customs and traditions.
4. Improve your English
If English isn’t your native language, make the most of your time on the summer school to practice and improve your English skills in and out of the classroom. It’s an invaluable opportunity to refine your language skills in an academic setting, which you’ll need for university. You’ll pick up the speaking and listening skills you’ll need to take part in group work and give presentations, as well as learning the more specialist vocabulary you’ll need for your subject.
The immersive nature of the summer school environment will also help you with becoming more fluent in conversational English through chatting with your classmates in your downtime. If there are words you hear that you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask their meaning (and spelling) so that you can expand your vocabulary and learn more casual English expressions. Many students find that summer schools really boost their confidence in speaking English – even if they’re not specifically there to study the language itself.
5. Get advice on your university application
Whether you’re just starting to think about what you might like to study at university or you’re already in the process of applying, a summer school is the perfect opportunity to gather information or even get some feedback on your personal statement. Your tutors will be experts in the subject and will be able to advise you on the kinds of things university admissions teams will look out for in your application.
Make the most of your summer school by asking them about your personal statement, any advice they have for interview preparation, which A-level or IB subjects they’d recommend you take and which universities are renowned for your subject. It’s a chance to pick up some tips on how to make sure your application stands out – though your presence on the summer school will do that too!
Your summer school experience starts here
With its unique combination of studying, exploring and socialising, a summer school is the perfect opportunity for personal development. If you’re keen to boost your confidence and build knowledge and skills that will stand you in good stead for years to come, there’s no better way to spend your summer – so make sure you make the most of it. Choosing the right location, immersing yourself in your studies and saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way will help you walk away with an experience that will stay with you for life. If you’d like to find out more about what your summer school experience could be like, have a browse of our Oxford summer schools and Cambridge summer schools or choose from one of our other top locations in London, the USA and Dubai.