What is Reading Week?

Have you ever felt like you’re drowning in uni work and just wished you could have a break? That’s exactly what Reading Week offers you. 

Although you won’t have any scheduled lectures or seminars, Reading Week isn’t technically a holiday. It offers you a chance to refocus on uni work and recharge for what’s to come. 

Find out more about Reading Week, what it is, whether your course offers one, and how you can make the most of this time. 

What is Reading Week at university?

Reading Week is a week long period at university during which there is a break from scheduled teaching. This means you won’t have any lectures, seminars, or tutorials on your timetable. 

Reading Week gives you a chance to catch up on work, complete outstanding or upcoming assignments, and properly prepare for the rest of term.

When is Reading Week?

Typically, Reading Week takes place twice within the academic year, usually in November and February. Universities tend to try and schedule Reading Week in the middle of term as this is when workloads tend to be getting heavier and students might need the support most. The specific dates of your Reading Week will depend on your university and should be communicated to you either by email or by your lecturers. 

Does every university have a Reading Week?

You won’t necessarily get a Reading Week at university. Some universities choose not to offer Reading Weeks to their students.

Whether or not you will get a Reading Week also depends on the particular course you study. Generally, Reading Weeks are offered to students on humanities courses where there is extensive reading material to get through. However, some other courses, like sciences or engineering, offer Reading Weeks too. Ask your department if you’re unsure. 

What happens during Reading Week?

During Reading Week, students are not required to be on campus for any official teaching, but you should still be thinking about studying in some way. This could look very different depending on your specific course and the modules you are taking. You might need the time to revise for an upcoming exam or assessment. You might devote the week to reading all the material your modules cover. Or you might take the opportunity to work on coursework or an assignment that’s due soon. It’s very much up to you.

How to make the most out of your Reading Week

There are lots of different ways to spend your time during Reading Week. Here are a five suggestions of how to make your Reading Week as productive as possible. 

1. Set clear goals 

When you’re heading into Reading Week, figure out exactly what you want to achieve and set yourself some clear and actionable goals. Do you need to submit coursework by a specific deadline? Do you want to read two books for each of your modules? Do you want to get ahead on your lectures? Your goals will be personal and specific to you. Don’t be put off by what anyone else is doing. As long as you take the time to think about what would be most helpful and productive for you, you’ll be off to a great start.

2. Figure out where you work best

Reading Week is a great time to knuckle down and focus on uni work. But before you get started, you need to figure out where you work best. Try out some different locations, such as the library, your student accommodation, or even a local café, and see what works best for you.

3. Use the library

Your university’s library is a valuable tool, packed with loads of vital resources and information. Reading Week offers you an opportunity to get stuck in and see what your library has to offer. You might find something particularly useful!

If you’ve never used the library before and you’re unsure how to check-out books or find resources, Reading Week is also the perfect opportunity to ask someone and figure out how everything works in your own time.

4. Get ahead on your lectures

You can use Reading Week to get ahead on lectures, reading, and uni work. This will take the pressure off when normal classes resume. You’ll be completely prepared and ready to engage in all your classes. 

5. Take some time to recharge 

While Reading Week offers you a great opportunity to catch up on work, this shouldn’t be your only priority. University can be stressful and, at times, even overwhelming. Remember to take care of yourself too. Use this time off to do things that make you feel good. Catch up on sleep, hang out with friends, try new things, or maybe even schedule a visit home - it’s up to you. 

Make your Reading Week as productive as possible

Want to get the most out of your Reading Week this year? Check out our 5 best revision techniques for university students for more useful advice.