Balancing Study and Fun

Wondering how you can have fun while accomplishing an academically challenging course within 3 weeks? Worry not! Having spent six weeks at LSE, I can assure you that the Summer School programme is designed to ensure students make the best of their time at Summer School through courses and activities, while experiencing the marvellous city of London.

Six weeks at LSE Summer School was rewarding in many ways and has not only allowed me to grow personally but professionally as well.

Learning

All courses at LSE are engaging and driven by student interactions and the teaching method which highly relies on engaging discussions. The usual schedule at LSE Summer School involves an hour of class and a 3 hour lecture per day, which leaves you with ample time to explore the city. However, it’s important to take steps to balance your study and fun time for the best experience of Summer School.

One of the crucial steps in this is to create a study schedule to allocate sufficient time for coursework. Start by reviewing the course handouts, syllabus, key deadlines and assignments provided beforehand. From this, you can create your weekly study schedule that helps you plan your study time around your social plans.

It’s also important to engage in classroom discussions where the learning is hands-on - however, to enhance one’s knowledge the reading material provided by LSE will certainly assist in gaining a broader knowledge on the said subject.

LSE itself has a plethora of resources to support students’ academic resources. Make the best use of the library, study spaces and other academic services available. Another pro-tip is to be proactive, don’t hesitate to reach out to class teachers or professors for additional help to reduce the overall stress of academics during the short span.

Social Skills and Networking

LSE Summer School is not purely academic, there are also a number of opportunities to develop professionally. The various Spark events organised by LSE includes group discussions on various topics of current affairs, networking through LinkedIn, Female Founders, yoga, improving your essays to building your business and many more which not only serves as a great way to learn and acquire new skills during your time here but also are a great way to connect with fellow students from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, its encouraged that participating in such activities can help you strike a balance between academics, professionalism and social networking.

LSE hosted various social events like the iconic Boat Party, Party on the Plaza and the Leaving Party, which are also a great way to socialise and come together. You can also sign up to day trips to nearby cities like Oxford, Cambridge and Windsor. Outside of LSE organised events, you can organise a mini European tour if time permits, which can provide a fun refreshing break from studies and most certainly lasting memories.

Being Realistic and Prioritising Your Goals

Take care of yourself - stay hydrated, exercise, have balanced meals and get enough sleep. If at any given point you feel you aren’t doing well physically or emotionally make sure to reach out to various Student Wellbeing Services offered at LSE.

Finally, its essential to set realistic goals for your time at LSE Summer School. Understand that you won’t be able to do everything and that’s perfectly fine. Prioritise what matters most to you both academically and in terms of experiences while you enjoy them to the fullest. By setting achievable goals you can make the most of your time without feeling overwhelmed.

Life Beyond LSE

The skills LSE equips you with sets the foundation for life beyond Summer School. One major skill I acquired during my time at LSE that has helped me was learning to balance work and life. This helped me stay motivated and productive, while drastically reducing unnecessary burnout. I also learned time management which was an essential skill I needed to develop, given my exhausting profession. This made juggling between work and personal time more effective, as I learned how to prioritise my time wisely. Learning to create valuable connections and networking has been the most valued asset I have carried with me beyond Summer School and these friendships have shaped me into a better person not only personally but also professionally. And lastly, cultural understanding has helped me to break from my comfort zone and foster cultural awareness, which has equipped me to operate in an increasingly cross-cultured and globalised world.

Apart from these, I have become more self-aware, engaged in more leisure activities and developed my hobbies, while discovering my interests, developing self-reliance and building confidence

Endnote

Finding the right balance between leisure and studies during Summer School can be challenging, but it is worth it for the huge variety of skills and experiences you will gain while in London.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.