It’s half term! Yay! But in between the lie-ins, Netflix binges and endless pyjama days, it’s the perfect opportunity to get your university journey started too.
Updated: 22 Sept 2025Your half term holiday should be filled with fun activities and plenty of rest, but it’s also a good idea to use it to be productive. Not only is it free time where you can focus on things like your university research, it also keeps nagging parents at bay too!
These small things are easy to do during half term that can save you time and build your confidence when it comes to doing more in-depth research later.
Half term is a great chance to take some time out and research possible universities with no pressure, just in your own time over a few days without anyone else influencing your decision. Bliss.
The easiest way to sift through all the options is to decide which factors are important to you. Do you value module choices and league tables, or is your biggest concern the location and nightlife? Whatever’s important to you, use that to keep, throw away or say maybe to university options.
Want to be sure about your choice? Want to make sure you know everything about everything at the university? It's certainly worth ordering their prospectus. It'll tell you everything from course details, the support they offer and what the social scene is like.
And once you’ve found a few that interest you, remember to add them into your Final 5 so you can remember and keep track of how many options you have left.
Many universities will hold their open days around half term. This is the best time to go as you aren't missing anything important by taking the day out. Plus, open days give you an excuse to have a fun day out in a new place, and you may even have the chance to do a spot of shopping or go for a meal (all in the name of research, obvs!).
There really is no better way to get a feel for a university location than to visit it, so we really do advise you head out on one.
The best advice I can give is to buy a planner. Seriously. Do it. I swear by mine.
Getting into the habit of keeping an updated planner will make that leap from A-levels to a degree a bit smoother. Plus keeping a to-do list in your head can really overwhelm your brain and stilt productivity anyway, which is not a good thing.
Organisation can also come in other forms, like tidying your room, sorting your school notes, or even running the important errands you keep putting off.
You’ll be surprised at how much clearer your brain feels without the blur of impending tasks - so get yourself together this half term holiday.
This may sound awfully cliché but hear me out.
Can’t think of something you’d like to do? Why not get a hobby that suits your future career, or at least invests in it in some way?
If you want to study English, why not read something you’d never normally read? If you're a budding art student explore creative activities like drawing or painting, and if you’re feeling really academic why not try and find a local exhibition that interests you.
You won’t regret it. Not only is it fun but you’ll learn new skills and improve your current ones. I currently study journalism, and started writing for an online magazine before I came to university, this gave me more practice with writing before I started as well as being something I enjoyed doing.
Whether or not you stay awake until 4am and sleep until the afternoon (which probably won’t impress your mum), getting enough sleep is one of the biggest secrets behind having a successful half term.
In fact it's not just critical for success during your half term holiday - but for success in your entire career, or so the experts say.
Seriously, lacking in sleep can cause symptoms of depression, age your skin and hinders your ability to think and learn. So, it's important to get a good amount of zzzz's in, no matter how much you want to stay up all night having fun.
On the flipside of sleeping in, you can invest in your future beyond that ever-looming coursework deadline by doing some volunteering or getting a part-time job. If you already know what university course you’re going to apply for, you can tailor the experience to suit that.
Try sending out some emails or phoning local organisations you’re interested in working for and ask if they’re taking on student volunteers. Your school may also be able to point you in the right direction, or a simple google search for local vacancies will do.
For advice on how to go about volunteering while at college or university, check out our complete guide here.
It’s half term, so don’t forget to chill out too!
However, this doesn’t necessarily have to mean watching TV until it’s dark, then light again, then dark again. Being out in the fresh air benefits both your physical and mental health. Take a trip outside with friends; have a picnic, go on a run or even just a simple stroll, it could be just the stress reliever you need.
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