The weeks leading up to the long-awaited summer break tend to be crammed full of exams, essays and deadlines. Many of us also have to juggle academic responsibilities with end-of-year financial hardship.
It can be more than enough to handle for the average student. So what do you do after you’ve survived your exams and commemorated the occasion with pitchers of Pimm’s in the Union beer garden? Suddenly there is this big void in your life, also known as ‘fifteen weeks of freedom’.
If you haven’t yet lined up an InterRail trip to France or made plans to go backpacking in Latin America, do not despair. Lifestyle has come up with a variety of suggestions to keep you from doing something as horrendous as studying during your well-deserved break. All you need to do now is pack your bags and go. See you in September!
In the United Kingdom – Amy Larkin
Staying in the UK over the summer is becoming a popular option, with many students looking to bag a bargain, and it’s easy to see why with so much on offer.
Festivals are great if you want to escape for a few days and enjoy some music, drink and meet new people. Every summer the UK plays host to many free music festivals, such as Tramlines festival right here in Sheffield.
Running from 22-24 July, The Futureheads, 90s band Ash and Sheffield’s Rolo Tomassi are amongst the headliners. With so much more going on across the city, this is not to be missed.
The iTunes Festival London is a great opportunity to see a lot of big artists perform for free. You need a bit of luck to win tickets, but with the chance of seeing performances by Adele, Foo Fighters, Mogwai or Duran Duran, why not give it a shot? (1 -31 July at The Roundhouse, London).
Volunteering is another way to spend your summer. From helping out in the community to completing a voluntary internship, this is a great opportunity to make a difference and add something to your CV. Visit the government’s volunteering website to find out more.
If you just fancy getting away for a few days then there are great deals to be had around the UK. Try a good old-fashioned seaside holiday, such as the popular town of Abersoch, North Wales, which comes alive over summer with surfers and students alike. With camping starting at £10 per night, this could be the perfect last-minute option for a fun summer.
Or why not go somewhere most travellers don’t? There are a variety of small towns throughout the UK with truly quirky names: Mousehole is a beautiful seaside village with a range of cosy cafes. Who knows what you’ll find in Great Snoring or Sockburn?
Across Europe – Ina Fischer
Your favourite festival’s sold out? Instead of spending a lot of time and money trying to secure a pair of tickets off Ebay, why not consider travelling to another festival abroad? You could end up with an equally incredible line-up and better weather.
The Super Bock Super Rock Festival takes place every July in a small town about an hour outside Lisbon, Portugal. The festival site is located next to the beach, so you can recover from sleepless nights by taking a dip in the ocean or topping up your tan. This year, the line-up includes Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Lykke Li and Portishead. Tickets are reasonably priced at 80€. (July 14-16).
While many university students have probably spent the odd weekend in Amsterdam, there are other cities in the Netherlands that are equally nice and less overpopulated with tourists during the summertime. Scheveningen is a seaside district in the country’s capital, The Hague, and one of Central Europe’s prime surf spots. It is also home to the popular youth hostel Jorplace, which comes fully-equipped with a surf-style lounge bar and a five-star kitchen. Overnight stays start at 19€, or you could go for the slightly more expensive but unique experience of booking a night in an old-school VW minivan!
If you’d rather spend your summer working and making money, then why not work abroad? There are a variety of summer camps in countries such as France, Switzerland and Italy, and many are still hiring staff for the summer. A good place to start your search is SeasonWorkers.com.
Alternatively, many youth hostels offer free lodging in return for a helping hand with cleaning or in the kitchen. Just phone in advance to see what jobs are available. The European Union also offers a variety of opportunities for young people to get involved in volunteering or youth exchanges throughout the summer.
You won’t get paid, but in some cases you can apply for small grants to cover travel costs. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have fun this summer!
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