Finals are over, grades are in, and final seminar papers are complete. Now what? The next few months stretch out before us, whispering promises of lighter schedules, vacation time, and more time to nap and play. But another inner voice says, “No. This is the time to double down on research. This is the time to get that dissertation or publication done.”
For academics, the summer can be a time of conflicting desires: the urge to recharge or to stay productive. However, the two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, with a strategic academic plan, they can even nurture each other.
Here’s how to craft a summer plan that nourishes your academic pursuits and well-being.
Reflect and Recharge
- • Recap & Reflect: Take some time to reflect on the past academic year. It can be helpful to do this in writing. First, acknowledge what you accomplished, what went well, and what you are proud of. Second, what didn’t go well? What was a struggle? What are your disappointments? Your lived experience of successes and challenges is full of information about what can help you have a summer that feels successful and restful.
- • Take a Trip to Recharge: It may seem counterintuitive to begin the summer with a trip, but it might do you good to get away, even if it’s for only a weekend or a few days. Some academics like bookending the summer with a short trip at the beginning and a longer trip at the end, or vice-versa. Even if you don’t go anywhere, you can have a “staycation” where you still take a scheduled break and make sure not to do work. Time off is not optional, it is a necessity, both for your health and work.
Prioritize and Plan Your Academic Work
- • Get Real About Goals: After you catch your breath from the academic year, you can set achievable goals for the summer. Do you want to make significant progress on a research project? Finish a chapter of your dissertation? Dedicate some time to writing out your goals and mapping out time to achieve them. Remember that summer can feel long at the beginning, but seem so short toward its end. It will go by quickly, so you want to think about what is truly realistic to achieve. Think in terms of weeks, not months.
- • Schedule with Structure: Create a realistic weekly schedule that incorporates your research or writing goals along with real personal time. Block out dedicated work hours, but also plan for breaks, hobbies, and social activities, because those nonacademic pursuits will nourish you and allow your subconscious to work more effectively.
- • Seek out Accountability Partners: If you are worried that the lack of structure will lead to a lack of focus and motivation, you can join a writing accountability group. Here at The Academic Writers’ Space, we offer virtual coworking sessions daily to help provide support and perspective and a place where you can come and get the work done. You can also seek out friends, and colleagues to create your own accountability/support group. All it takes is 2–3 other people and you have a nice mini-accountability/support group. Working in tandem can be a healthy way to work, especially if you set firm boundaries around when you are talking, and when you are working.
Don’t Underestimate The Power of Downtime
Taking breaks to pursue hobbies, travel, or simply relax does a few important things. It allows you to return to your work with fresh eyes and opens space for new insights to develop even during downtime. You may be stretched out on a beach and suddenly figure out the answer to a problem you’ve been mulling over in normal “working” time. You may be hiking in the mountains and remember the name of an article or researcher you had long forgotten.
Our brains have a funny way of finding creative solutions to problems when they’re not overworked. So, if you can, slow down your pace this summer and embrace a less stressful lifestyle. If you allow yourself to move with the summer rhythm, you can create a summer that is academically enriching and personally fulfilling.
If you’re looking for a supportive community to help you navigate the complexities and stresses of academic writing, sign up for a free week of membership in The Academic Writers’ Space, or book a free consultation with our founder, Dr. Alison Miller.