Summer break. Just the phrase makes you think of sunshine, spontaneous plans, and long, lazy afternoons. For many students, especially international ones in the UK, summer is a welcome pause during the fast-paced year. It’s tempting to either fill it with productivity goals or completely unplug and disconnect.
But what if there’s a middle ground? A way to grow personally and professionally without burning yourself out?
Whether you’re staying at ISH this summer or travelling, here’s how to use this time for meaningful personal growth.
Learn Something New
During term time, most of our learning is assignment based. Summer gives you the freedom to choose what you want to learn, and how.
You could:
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Take a free online course in something you’ve never explored before.
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Try out a new instrument or sport.
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Practice a new language, especially useful for international students wanting to explore beyond English.
- Visit free museums, art galleries and exhibitions.
Start with Soft Goals, Not Strict Schedules
Summer doesn’t need to become a self improvement bootcamp. Instead of overwhelming yourself with intense routines or high pressure expectations, think in terms of soft goals.
Ask yourself:
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What excites me?
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What have I been putting off that I’d actually enjoy doing?
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What would future me thank me for?
Some examples:
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Reading a few books in your field, or totally outside it.
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Starting a blog or creative portfolio.
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Practising meditation or a simple 10 minute daily journaling routine.
Connect (or Reconnect) With People Around You
Summer at International Students House tends to be a bit calmer, but that makes it perfect for deeper connections. With fewer people rushing around or swamped with exams, it’s easier to strike up meaningful conversations or meet someone new in the common areas.
Ways to build your network or social circle:
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Attend summer events, BBQs, or karaoke nights.
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Explore London’s cultural festivals together, like Notting Hill Carnival.
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Reach out to someone you’ve seen around ISH but haven’t spoken to yet.
You never know who you’ll meet, your next travel buddy, co-founder, or lifelong friend could be just one conversation away.
Take Time to Reflect on Your Journey
Personal growth doesn’t always come from doing more, it often comes from pausing and thinking about where you are, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go next.
Try setting aside time once a week for:
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Journaling: What did I enjoy most this week? What drained me?
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Vision boarding: What do I want the next year of my life to look like?
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Rewriting your goals from a place of curiosity, not pressure.
Gently Boost Your Career Without the Stress
Internships and part-time jobs are valuable, but not everyone wants (or needs) a packed schedule during the summer. If you’re looking to grow professionally without overloading, try this:
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Update your CV and LinkedIn profile.
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Reach out to a mentor or someone in your field for a virtual meeting.
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Start a project you’re passionate about, a blog, podcast, photo series, or social media page on a topic you love.
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Freelance or volunteer a few hours a week to build new skills in a real world setting.
Even something small like writing articles about your student experience can show initiative and storytelling ability, both valuable on a CV.
Prioritise Rest as Part of Your Growth Plan
This is the most important tip of all.
Rest is not the opposite of growth, it’s a part of it.
Let yourself:
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Sleep in occasionally without guilt.
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Spend time offline and outside.
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Say no to activities that don’t bring you joy, even if they sound productive.
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Enjoy quiet mornings at Regent’s Park, long walks by the canal, or movie nights with housemates.
A well rested, recharged version of you will be far more capable when the academic year begins again.
Your summer doesn’t need to be a constant hustle or a complete switch off. It can be both, a time to discover new interests, make meaningful memories, and reconnect with who you are outside of deadlines and textbooks.
So go ahead. Sign up for that random pottery class. Explore a new part of the city. Apply for that internship, or don’t. And remember: personal growth isn’t always about the big, dramatic changes. Sometimes, the quiet, small ones are the most important.
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