As Halloween’s fast approaching and the weather has started to feel cold enough for thicker coats, you might also have looming assignment deadlines to keep up with and readings/other coursework to catch up on! But fortunately, you can make use of your reading week productively while still having some well-deserved Halloween fun. The following are some of my tips and suggestions to have a leisurely, interesting, yet fruitful time during this week:

Organise Tasks in a Single Space

Whether it is the notes app on your phone, or a pocket diary consisting of lists you like to make, find some space where you can write down everything you have previously postponed. For example, an article on your reading list on week 3 that you wanted to check out or a podcast your lecturer mentioned was relevant to your module content or an assignment you need to start researching and going over secondary sources for!

Separate these tasks into high and low priority ones. Each day of the week, you can try to get one or two of them done, and by the end, you would have plenty of work ticked off.

Don’t Miss out on Halloween

Even if you have dreadful deadlines lined up (that’s the case for me as well), there is no reason for you to skip all the spooky socials you can still totally go to. If you don’t already have plans, check out events at the SU, at your School, ghost walking tours, and different societies planning their own Halloween activities you can partake in (even as a non-member).

Or if you’d rather stay in, what’s stopping you from watching your favourite horror movie (mine are Hotel Transylvania and Goosebumps, by the way!) and eating a ton of candy while resting in bed?

All the Small Things

Since you might have a range of commitments alongside classes on other weeks, your reading week is also important for relaxing. That recipe you always wanted to try? Now’s the time. If you would like to sleep in on a Wednesday, go for it! Reach out to an old friend. Journal. Pick up the gaming console. Drag yourself to a cute cafe. Basically, focus on all the small things that give you joy, the ones you kept putting off because of how busy uni got. 

Take Walks

If you usually love strolling through the lovely streets of Belfast or ducking into the Botanic Gardens for some peaceful me-time, or finding other such serene spots (I recommend Cregagh Glen, and if you are up for it, the Belfast Zoo), you can use the reading week to spend time with nature and the outside world.

Certainly, it is good practice to stop to observe your surroundings (instead of the regular running-to-university-with-my-earphones-on bit you might have gotten used to)! There’s no telling the surprises you might stumble upon when you walk through new roads (especially the ones with beautiful mural walls), so don’t hesitate to go exploring.

Tackling Studies Amidst Events

Now that we have gotten the fun parts out of the way, reading week is also for you to...read. Yes, that might feel unappealing in comparison to a pumpkin carving but unfortunately, those deadlines cannot be entirely neglected. However, if you manage time well, your studies can go forth seamlessly. Dedicating just a couple of hours each day can make all the difference. For example, I have two assignments due on the week right after. On the reading week, I am planning to go to three Halloween-esque events (cue more procrastination), but I also plan on spending time catching up on all the coursework and writing good essays (hopefully).

When you don’t have lectures and tutorials, you might come to realise all the time you’ve got. So, with a little bit of organisation, discipline, and time management, you can pull off both great grades and a fun-filled/relaxing week. 

Find out more

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Magdalene Natasha Charles Anthropology and English | Undergraduate Student | India I'm an undergraduate student pursuing Anthropology and English at Queen's. Originally from Chennai, India, I've now moved to Belfast for my studies. In my free time, I like to write poetry, and I've self-published my own collection ('Subdued Cries' on Amazon). I'm an aspiring novelist and I hope to inspire people through my writing journey. I also journal, and am fond of frolicking (or taking calming walks) through parks and gardens. I'm extremely passionate about reading and my current favourite is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my personal and professional skills, and hope to gain meaningful experience during my time here at Queen's.