The Perks of Studying in Glasgow During the Summer
Cover Photo by David McGinlay on Flickr
One of the less exciting parts of doing a research degree is that we usually have to continue our work throughout the summer months. We aren’t allocated a set number of months off like undergrads are; however, as stated in the PGR Code of Practice, we are allowed a few weeks of personal leave time (be sure you use it!). That being said, summer in Glasgow can be a wonderful time of year for various reasons – including research! It was during summer that I finished and felt most confident about my Masters dissertation, so for me, this time of the year always makes me excited to take the next steps in my research. Here are just a few of the reasons why I don’t mind working in Glasgow during the summer.
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Longer days
One of the reasons I’m always so excited for spring and summer is the longer days. During fall and winter, I go to campus in the dark and leave campus in the dark. When the sun starts to set at 4.30 pm every day, it’s hard to feel like you have much time to do anything productive after the work day. But during the summer everything’s different. Sometimes the sun doesn’t set until 9.30 pm, giving everyone a reason to enjoy a bit more of the day after spending half of it working.
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Fewer students
Whether you have an office or study somewhere else on campus, there being fewer students is a benefit to us all. You never have to struggle to find a desk. You don’t have to wait forever for the elevators in the library. You might finally be able to find a seat in the Fraser building at lunchtime! You (usually) don’t have to force yourself through crowds of students flooding the walkways between the main building and library hill! Also, if you have a membership at the University gym, summer equals less people there, too. Summertime on campus is truly magical.
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Sun (!)
This one probably falls under the ‘Longer days’ category, but I don’t care because I love it too much. I’m originally from Texas, so the first time I ever went more than one day without the sun beaming down on my skin was when I moved to Glasgow. I love walking in the sun, running in the sun, lying on the grass in the park in the sun. All of which you can do on your way to and from the campus AND on your lunch/study breaks during most of the summer. Though there are still rainy and cloudy days (this is Scotland we’re talking about), they aren’t nearly as suffocating as they seem during fall and winter. So you don’t have to stay cooped up at a desk or in your home. Grab your sunnies and soak up what’s left of our sun.
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Quick, last-minute holidays
Did you know you could hop on a train from Glasgow and be at an actual beach or a beautiful loch within 40 minutes? When Summer arrives, your options for short, inexpensive days out of the city multiply. You’d be surprised how much a day at the beaches in Ayr or Troon or a nice walk around Loch Lomond can rejuvenate and relax you, making you prepared to tackle any obstacles your research might throw your way. You might not get the entire summer holiday off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t allow yourself some time to enjoy the weather we literally only get a few weeks out of the year.
Studying, researching and working during the summer is a bummer, but some optimism about the situation might make the next few months a little less frustrating and a little more fun! Let us know on Twitter @UofG_PGRblog or @danies394 what you enjoy about Glasgow during the summer or what you have planned in order to make the most of the coming months!
