10 Things an Architecture Student can do over Summer

As the summer holidays are soon coming to a close, now seems to be an ideal time to reflect on what we have achieved and consider what we hope to achieve next summer. The university year can be quite intense and fastpaced, especially for architecture students. Therefore, summer is such a valuable time to step back from the degree and share experiences with friends or pursue any brewing interests.

 

The summer holidays present an amazing opportunity to be proactive in terms of both professional and personal development. Although not definitive, here is a list of 10 things an architecture student can do over summer:

 

1.   Apply for a Summer Placement

By far, one of the most valuable ways to spend the summer is to attain a placement with a company related to the profession you want to work in. This experience can help you decide what type of architecture firm you would potentially like to work for in the future, from the size of the company to their ethos and values. Summer placements are typically 6-8 weeks long and some require applying as early as the previous September so keep your eyes peeled!

 

2.   Go Travelling

The summer holidays present the perfect time to go travelling; an opportunity which will be missed when working life starts after university. Whether you plan to travel around your home country or around the world, the experience gained through engaging with other cultures is priceless. Moreover, visiting places of architectural significance can help inspire potential ideas for your upcoming university projects and shape what type of architect you would like to become in the future.

 

3.   Attend a Summer School

Make sure to keep an eye out for any summer opportunities that your university’s careers department may have mentioned in their emails. External summer courses can be anywhere from a day or a couple weeks long and with Covid-19, many are now offering virtual alternatives. They can also vary in cost but there are some which are completely free! With the current climate, it would be particularly useful to partake in courses about sustainability and the circular economy.

 

4.   Take Online Courses

With term time being so busy, summer is the perfect time to take advantage of online course providers such as Skillshare and LinkedIn learning. Your university likely provides you with a LinkedIn Learning account for free or you can alternatively purchase a similar subscription from another provider. You can take courses to further a variety of skills, from software lessons in AutoCad and SketchUp to presentations on teamworking and communication. 

 

5.   Volunteer for a Charity

Yes, getting paid for work experience is often seen as the most ideal option, but volunteering can be even more rewarding. Whether you are volunteering to inspire the next generation or helping people in need, there are so many ways that you can make a difference within your community. Alternatively, you could fundraise money for a charity by taking on some form of challenge and raising awareness in the process. 

 

6.   Read Books and Articles

Whether you chose a new fiction novel or a technical book about architectural design, any type of reading can be insightful and is worth dedicating time to. There are so many books and articles that can further your knowledge and understanding of architecture, both physically and conceptually. Reading is a great habit to get into over summer and continue throughout term time as it can add context to your studies.  

 

7.   Start an Instagram or a Blog

If you have not done so already, you can create an Instagram to display your university architecture work. This is a great tool which you can quickly refer future employers to if you are at a university networking event. Following your fellow peers across your architecture school can also help inspire you to keep working hard throughout the degree. Alternatively, you can start your own blog similar to this one to help surround yourself in the world of architecture outside of lectures!

 

8.   Keep a Sketch Journal

Keeping a sketch journal is a great way to maintain drawing skills throughout the summer holidays. You don’t have to only draw buildings; anything that sparks your interest could inspire your work further along the line. This goes for any form of art from painting to model making – express yourself! Sketch journaling can also be quite therapeutic and can act as a personal diary, which is a nice way to look back on your summer.

 

9.   Find a Job

If you are not able to find a summer placement in an architecture firm (or equivalent) but want to earn some money, then any summer job could be a beneficial way spend your time. Having a job helps to develop your people skills and can be a good experience to talk about in future interviews. The money earned could be used to buy new architecture supplies for university or saved up for travelling the following summer.

 

10.  Relax - You have Earned it!

Being an architecture student can be exhausting. The academic year feels nonstop and the pressure to produce work can become overwhelming. Therefore, it is really important to remember to take time to relax over summer and do what makes you feel happy. It is perfectly alright to spend a full day binge watching a Netflix show on the sofa! The summer period can be treated like a reset button; afterwards you will be ready to return to university and feel recharged for the new year.