Sometimes summer courses can feel like a bit of a downer when everyone else seems to be living their best lake life.
As an online undergraduate student, I know the struggle of trying to balance study time with wanting to soak up the sunshine.
However, with a bit of self-discipline it IS possible to get your coursework done and still make time for patio drinks, road trips or whatever’s on your summer bucket list.
These 3 summer schedules are exactly what I use to enjoy my life and still keep my academic goals moving forward from June through August.
3 Summer Study Schedules That Let You Live Your Best Summer Life
I’ve put together three flexible daily schedules: morning, afternoon and an evening option that build in study time and leave ample space for pre-planned activities.
Each of these schedules give you 3 HOURS and 20 MINUTES of FOCUSED study time by using the Pomodoro Technique.
You’ll study for 25 minutes on followed by a 5 minute break.
This is only 8 – 25 minute pomodoro blocks a day. Totally doable when you want to have a life and still make study progress.
These are just a guide, so free to adjust the start and end times to fit your wake/sleep hours and summer events.
Summer Morning Study Schedule
Use this schedule when you have afternoon and/or evening activities planned.
After a solid morning routine (think light exercise, breakfast and getting ready), you dive into study block #1, take a proper lunch break, and then wrap up with one more short study block all before 13:00!
| rise – 08:30 | Morning Routine |
| 08:30 – 11:30 | Study Block #1: (2.5 hrs) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch Break |
| 12:00 – 12:55 | Study Block #2: (50 mins) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 12:55 – sleep | Summer Plans |
Summer Afternoon Study Schedule
Use this schedule when you have activities planned in the morning and evening.
Use the flexibility in this schedule to enjoy your morning summer plans until 13:00 when you dive into study block #1, have a quick meal break to recharge before wrapping up with one last shorter study block. After that, the rest of your evening is wide open for whatever life brings your way.
TIP: I like to have these study sessions with an iced coffee or matcha latte.
| rise – 13:00 | Summer Plans |
| 13:00 – 16:00 | Study Block #1: (2.5 hrs) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Meal Break |
| 16:30 – 17:25 | Study Block #2: (50 mins) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 17:25 – sleep | Summer Plans |
Summer Evening Study Schedule
Use this schedule when you have morning and afternoon activities planned.
During packed summer days, enjoy your plans until it’s time to shift into study mode at 17:00. You’ll power through study block #1 before having an evening meal to reset your body and brain before jumping into the last study block of the day.
TIP: If you need to study when you’re tired (especially during these evening sessions) I’ve found it helps to wash my face and do my skincare routine before I start. That way, once I finish my study session I can head straight to bed without any extra steps.
| rise – 17:00 | Summer Plans |
| 17:00 – 20:00 | Study Block #1: (2.5 hrs) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 20:00 – 20:30 | Dinner Break |
| 20:30 – 21:25 | Study Block #2: (50 mins) 25 min sessions + 5 min breaks |
| 21:25 – sleep | Night Routine |
Next Steps
No matter what your summer looks like, whether that’s juggling classes with travel plans, local trips or just some well-deserved rest, having a flexible study schedule can make all the difference in making life feel balanced.
Reminder: it’s not perfection that accomplishes our goals – it’s consistency.
I hope these study schedule examples make studying in the summer a little more manageable. And remember, there are hundreds of thousands of students studying along with you!
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