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Making the Most of Your Summer Break: Budget-Friendly Tips for Students

summer break on a budget

With summer break just around the corner, students eagerly anticipate a well-deserved break from their academic endeavors. If traveling home is not an option due to budget constraints, you may be wondering how to spend your time productively and avoid boredom.

In this blog post, we will provide you with practical and budget-friendly tips to make the most of your summer break, regardless of your location. Say goodbye to monotony and hello to an exciting and fulfilling summer experience!

1. Seek Summer Employment

Consider finding a summer job to not only earn some extra income but also gain valuable work experience. Look for opportunities in your local area that align with your interests and schedule. From part-time positions to internships or freelance work, a summer job can provide financial stability while adding a meaningful element to your break.

2. Explore Your Surroundings

Even if you’re unable to travel far, there are likely many exciting places to discover near your current location. Research local attractions, parks, museums, and landmarks that you haven’t had the chance to explore. Embark on day trips or weekend adventures to immerse yourself in the culture and history of your surroundings. You may be surprised by the hidden gems just a stone’s throw away.

3. Engage in Volunteer Work

Give back to your community and gain valuable experience by volunteering during the summer break. Look for local charities, organizations, or events that align with your interests or causes you are passionate about. Whether it’s helping at a local shelter, assisting with community projects, or volunteering at events, you can make a positive impact while expanding your network and acquiring new skills.

4. Learn Something New

Summer break presents a great opportunity to acquire new skills or deepen your knowledge in a particular area of interest. Explore online courses, webinars, or workshops that align with your passions. Develop new hobbies, learn a musical instrument, experiment with cooking, or explore artistic endeavors. The options are limitless, and the summer break provides ample time to delve into these pursuits.

5. Connect with Peers

Summer break offers a chance to reconnect with friends and classmates who are also in the same location. Plan social activities such as picnics, movie nights, game nights, or outdoor adventures. Organize study groups to review previous coursework, share knowledge, and prepare for upcoming semesters. Building connections and fostering a supportive network will not only make your summer enjoyable but also enhance your overall student experience.

6. Embrace Personal Growth

Take advantage of the summer break to focus on your personal growth and well-being. Engage in activities such as journaling, meditation, exercise, or practicing mindfulness. Set personal goals for the break and track your progress. Use this time to reflect, recharge, and develop habits that contribute to your overall well-being.

Conclusion: Regardless of your location or budget limitations, there are numerous ways to make the most of your summer break as a student. Embrace opportunities for employment, exploration, volunteering, learning, connecting with peers, and personal growth. By following these budget-friendly tips, you can ensure a fulfilling and enriching summer break that leaves you refreshed and ready for the upcoming academic year.

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Getting on with Flatmates: How to make friends at College

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Living in close quarters with flatmates or dormmates can be both exciting and challenging all at once. But by choosing shared living at University, you are opening doors and increasing the chances of being able to easily make friends at college.

Here are a few tips for getting on with your flatmates and learning the best ways to make friends at College.

1. Communicate openly and honestly

One of the keys to living harmoniously with your flatmates is to communicate openly and honestly with them. If there are any issues that are bothering you, it’s best to address them early on, rather than letting them fester. And it’s also important to be open to feedback and constructive criticism.

2. Set boundaries:

It’s important to establish clear boundaries with your flatmates, such as quiet hours, when it’s okay to have guests over, and what activities are acceptable in the shared living spaces. This can help to prevent conflicts and ensure that everyone feels comfortable in their own space.

3. Be respectful:

Treat your flatmates with respect, and be mindful of their needs and feelings. This means being considerate of the shared living spaces and taking care not to disturb them when they’re sleeping or studying.

4. Plan activities together:

One of the best ways to get to know your flatmates is to plan activities together. This can include cooking dinner together, watching a movie, or going out for a night on the town. It’s also a great way to bond and create shared memories.

5. Be yourself:

make friends at college by being yourself

When you’re trying to make new friends, it’s important to be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not in order to impress others. People appreciate authenticity, and you’re more likely to make lasting connections with people who accept you for who you are.

6. Listen and show interest:

make friends at college

When you are trying to break the ice with new friends, it is important to listen to them and show interest in what they have to say. Ask questions, be friendly and engage in conversation. It will make them feel comfortable and show them that you are interested in getting to know them.

In conclusion, living with flatmates or dormmates in college can be an exciting opportunity to make new friends and bond over shared experiences. But it also requires a certain level of communication, boundaries, and respect to keep a positive and harmonious living environment.

By communicating openly and honestly, setting boundaries, being respectful, planning activities together, being yourself, and listening and showing interest, college students can build and maintain positive relationships with their flatmates and make new friends.

Remember that forming connections takes time and effort and it’s important to be patient, flexible, and understanding. With these practices, living with flatmates or dormmates can be a fun and memorable experience during your college years and could even lead you to make friends at college that last for life.

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Discover cheap things to do in London for students

Are you staying in your London uni halls over the holidays? Returning home from campus to the capital? Planning a day trip for some fun during the break? Take advantage of any free time you have in the big city, and try out some of these cheap things to do in London. They’re perfect for a student budget!

We know you’ll probably be studying hard this holiday, but all work and no play will leave you burnt-out and miserable. Though your time off may be limited, use our tips to make the most of it.

Museums and history

London’s museums are amazing, and most of them are completely free. These include the British Museum, the Museum of London, the Wellcome Collection and more! Some of these have exhibitions on that you need to pay for, but they keep the prices pretty low. The Science Museum’s fighter jet simulator is just £6, and the Horniman Museum’s magical aquarium is £4.50. For cheap things to do in London after sunset, check out funky late night events at the Science Museum, V&A, and Natural History Museum. They’re all free (though some are ticketed).

Want a quick glimpse of London’s history? The changing of the guard happens at 11:00 am almost every day at Buckingham Palace. The Tower of London’s Ceremony of the Keys happens every night at 9:30 pm. Both are completely free, but for the latter online booking is essential.

One of London’s best-kept secrets is the Mithraeum, a Roman temple hidden underneath the Bloomberg buildings in the City of London. Dedicated to the mysterious figure of Mithras, you can visit without paying a penny.

The Great Court of the British Museum, full of visitors.
The British Museum. Photo credit: Konmac, Shutterstock

Art and architecture

Lots of art museums, like both the Tate Britain and Tate Modern, National Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Arts are free. Keep an eye out for free exhibitions at the Curve at the Barbican Centre too!

For something festive, Winter Light is a free, open-air exhibition at the Southbank Centre featuring ten festive installations from famous artists. Or, go hear some carols inside St Paul’s. Every year, the legendary London landmark hosts a series of free, non-ticketed carol concerts.

Looking for more architecture? On the first Wednesday of every month, visitors can see ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’ for free. The Baroque murals covering Greenwich’s Painted Hall were painted more than 300 years ago, but have just been restored. Somerset House, the last of the huge palaces that used to line the Thames in central London, also offers free tours. Alternatively, Severndroog Castle in south London is only £3.50. It’s great for panoramic views of the city, ancient woodland and general Gothic vibes.

The great outdoors

London’s green urban spaces are really special. Though it’s cold outside, on bright days you’ll still enjoy places like Green Park, Hyde Park and St James’s Park. Lots of these also have pedalo boats you can rent. These are usually around £4 and great fun if the weather holds out! For the really brave at heart, you can swim in the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds for £2 per day. Sack off the gym pool and join in if you dare!

A good walk with a friend is priceless, making it one of our favourite cheap things to do in London. Stroll along the South Bank, follow the towpath through Little Venice, or join one of Strawberry Tours’ free London walking tours. If you want to relax in nature while actually staying indoors, try the Sky Garden (free) or the gorgeous Barbican Conservatory (free on Sundays!).

Hyde Park, one of the best cheap things to do in London!
Hyde Park. Photo credit: Ingus Kruklitis, Shutterstock

Culture

Use websites like todaytix, or the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, for £20 West End tickets. But for a cheaper theatre alternative, standing tickets at Shakespeare’s Globe are just £5. Arrive early, and you’ll be close enough to touch the stage. The Royal Ballet also offers £5 tickets for amphitheatre seats right at the top of the Royal Opera House. Bring binoculars and enjoy!

Lots of London’s best comedy shows are either free or very cheap. You then tip what you can at the end depending on what you think it was worth. Our favourites include the Bill Murray in Angel and the Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden.

For cinema lovers, the PeckhamPlex shows all new movies at ’90s prices. The House of Vans in Waterloo runs free cinema nights, as well as its other events like skate school and live music nights. And for cinema haters, Old Street’s Crap Film Club screens a different terrible movie every month. Early-bird tickets are £5.

Views

See the city from the top of Monument’s 311 stairs for just £5, or from the eighth floor of the OXO Tower for free. For outdoor alternatives, look out at the capital from Primrose Hill or Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath.

Try the Emirates Air Line (nicknamed the Dangleway) for a cheaper version of the London Eye. The cable car opened in 2012, so as cheap things to do in London go, it still feels like a novelty. It crosses the Thames from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock, and best of all, it’s only £3.50!

Your favourite cheap things to do in London

Did we miss any must-see activities? Have you tried any of our recs and enjoyed them? Let us know in the comments below!