Reading week: is there any respite to be had?
Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor, details what she will be up to in her reading week, and how important is to prioritise the little things.
After five long weeks of 8:30 lectures, essays, the flu and one too many Jager bombs, a rest is needed for many of us. For this reason, we welcome Reading Week with open arms as we hop on the train back to our families for the week. This may seem like a dream but many tutors seem to have misunderstood the idea of Reading Week this term. Personally, I have a 1000 word essay due for the Wednesday, a novel to read and more formatives than I can shake a stick at. Less of “Reading” Week and more of “Catching-Up” Week. In fact, I’m sure I’ll be busier than if I was still in Exeter: I have five weeks of gossip to update my Mum on!
Less of “Reading” Week and more of “Catching-Up” Week
As students who completed 13 years of education before University, we are used to the idea of an October half term. In the years gone by, this half term would have included relaxing with our friends, carving pumpkins and even trick-or-treating. This year, the scariest thing I have to look forward to is the submission page of e-BART. Reading Week should be a reset for the students who are overwhelmed with work and who want to rest.
Reading Week should be a reset for the students who are overwhelmed with work and who want to rest
Aside from the mountains of work, I’m looking forward to my Mum’s cooking, seeing my favourite family member (my cat) and potentially seeing my friends from home if the time allows. It’s important to not lose sight of what really matters even when stressed with University work. The best thing anyone can do this week is get their sleep schedule back on track, eat some good food, and enjoy their week in the comfort of their own home- the six weeks after Reading Week leading up to Christmas will be challenging for us all.
