It’s that time of year where we are all recovering from a (probably) tough academic year and getting over the whirlwind that was the exam or EMA. Our headaches are slowly lifting and it’s time to focus on us, on our summer that we’ve longed for – for so long. It’s not as simple as just putting the books down and getting on with fun in the sun. I wrote about that aftermath feeling recently, have a read here. I know I’m not the only one either. Lots of people feedback to me about a similar feeling and only this morning I read another great little blog which mentioned that familiar ‘numbness’!

So what exactly does an OU student do with their four month break in the summer? Firstly, there are many that aren’t enjoying the luxury of a break at all. Some courses overlap, some started in February and so run through the summer and for others, they just keep going with whatever they can get their hands on! For me it’s about catching up with all the important things in my life besides studying. I truly love my studies and it’s become incredibly important to me but my family will always remain my no.1 priority. Because they are wonderful and because we all feel that my studies are important they have taken a bit of a backseat while they waited for me to finish this academic year. I can’t thank them enough for supporting me to do this but I can now dedicate some time for them.

For me, summer will be filled with making memories with those in my everyday life. That’s date days with my husband and fun times with our boys. I thanked the boys for being so patient and told them all that they could choose anything (within my capabilities) that they wanted and we would spend time on a one-to-one basis doing it. Last weekend it was the turn of my youngest who packed our ‘special day’ full of activities. We swam, we scooted, we danced, I took him out for a meal, we ate ice-cream and we rounded it off with a trip to the local carnival. I absolutely loved being able to do all of that completely guilt-free! Next weekend it’s the turn of our middle boy and I think he has a trip to the Saints Megastore planned, as well as other things which have yet to be decided. I’ve been trying to teach him to do something for almost two years now. Last Sunday I got to witness him finally succeed!

When the eldest gets his day, he has asked for driving lessons with me. This should be interesting as I’m nervous enough driving myself around let alone being a passenger while he has a go! Still, it all makes for interesting memories and quality time and that’s what I want more than anything else. Aside from spending time with the family I plan to take a ‘light’ look at some of the things I will be studying next year. I’ve signed up for the module A207: From Enlightenment to Romanticism and am really looking forward to it. I hope there are a few more students doing it too as it I haven’t come across many yet! Lastly, I’ve taken a few steps with my work life. A few months back I began article and blog writing for the restaurants and bars that I’ve been working with for some years now. I also began writing for Surviving The OU on a weekly basis and have a few other things in the pipeline. I’ve been enjoying it all so much that I’ve decided to branch out a little more.

I’ve noticed that I’m developing a passion to teach people and share the knowledge that I gain. I love doing this through my writing and so my aim is to develop this slowly whilst I continue with my degree. I’ll do more during the summer and a little less during the academic year with a view to developing as I go. With this in mind, I hope to develop my blog this summer so I shall be reading up on how I can do this. I hope that it will soon look a bit sleeker and easier to navigate.

So that’s my plans for the summer. What’s yours? I’d love to hear how other students are spending their ‘time off’ this summer – or not!