If I Had a Summer Between GCSEs and Starting College, Here’s How I’d Spend It (And Why)
I’m Isaac Jefferson, and I’m a Business Management and Admin T-Level student at East Sussex College in Hastings. I’m about to finish my first year at college and I was starting to think ahead to the summer. It got me thinking that this summer won’t be anything like last year following my GCSEs.
Finishing my GCSEs felt strange.
For months, my life revolved around revision timetables, exam stress, and being asked “how did it go?” at least three times a day. Then suddenly… it’s over.
If you’re reading this and you can see the light at the end of the exam tunnel, then you’re about to have a long, amazing summer ahead of you before college starts. You may already have some things planned, and while it’s tempting to spend the entire thing sleeping until midday and watching Netflix (which, honestly, you’ve earned), you could use this summer as a bit of a reset.
If I had a summer between GCSEs and starting college again, here’s how I’d spend it - and why.
I’d Actually Rest First
This might sound obvious, but properly switching off matters. GCSEs are intense, and most people go straight from years of school routines into worrying about results day and what’s next. Give yourself permission to slow down for a bit.
Sleep more. See your friends. Go outside. Do absolutely nothing for a few days if you want. Rest isn’t being lazy - it’s recovering.
I’d Try Something New
One of the best things about this stage of life is that nobody expects you to have everything figured out yet. So try things (you might like it).
- Learn to cook something other than pasta
- Start at the gym
- Pick up a camera (or your phone) and take photos
- Try a new sport
- Volunteer
- Get good with money
Not because it’ll “look good,” but because this is one of the few summers where you genuinely have time to explore interests without loads of pressure.
I’d Spend Less Time Comparing Myself to Everyone Else
After GCSEs, social media becomes a weird place. People start talking about results predictions, future plans, jobs, parties, driving lessons, holidays - and it can feel like everyone else has their life sorted.
Honestly, most people don’t. Some of your friends will change their college courses. Some will come up with a new career idea. Some will make new friends and drift from old ones. That’s normal. You don’t need to have your entire future mapped out at 16.
I’d Get Comfortable With Change
Starting college is exciting, but it’s also different.
New people, new routines, more independence, and less being chased up about homework every five minutes.
The people who usually settle in best aren’t necessarily the loudest or most confident - they’re the ones open to trying things and meeting new people. So over summer, I’d push myself slightly outside my comfort zone now and then. Even little things help build confidence.
I’d Organise Myself Before September
Not in a “back to school aisle in July” kind of way. But I’d make life easier for future me. Things like:
- Figuring out the best way to get to college
- Getting a rough college routine together (attending my college Welcome Day helped massively)
- Setting a couple of realistic goals - nothing too serious
- Saving a bit of money if possible
Nothing dramatic - just enough to make September feel exciting instead of stressful.
Most Importantly, I’d Enjoy It
This summer is a transition between one chapter and another. You’ll probably never have another summer quite like it - where school is finished, college hasn’t started yet, and the future still feels wide open. So enjoy the freedom a bit.
Do fun things. Make lots of memories. Have the odd lazy day.
September will come around quickly enough.