Tips for Studying in the Heat
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Summer at Warwick can surprise you. One week it’s pouring. The next, you’re melting over your laptop, trying to revise or write while your brain slowly turns to soup. Whether you’re based on campus or studying back home, here are some tips Juanmo has found helpful for actually getting work done in hot weather—without wilting in the process.
Start earlier (if you can!)
When the sun rises earlier and temperatures spike by noon, your brain might work better in the mornings—even if you’re not usually a morning person. I’ve (been forced to, as I’m always woken up by the sunshine before 6!) shifted my working block to start right after breakfast and a morning workout, when the air is cooler and my mind’s a bit clearer.
"…dehydration sneaks up fast…"
Even getting in two focused hours before lunch can make a huge difference—and helps ease that guilty why-can’t-I-focus feeling that often hits during the sticky afternoon lull.
Rework your rhythm
Don’t try to push through like it’s business as usual. Heat slows the body and the brain. Build in more breaks, use shorter sprints (like Pomodoro-style sessions), and shift more intensive tasks to cooler times of day.
It’s not laziness—it’s logistics. Summer productivity is about strategy, not struggle. Just stand up and stretch your legs. Moving your muscles and changing your scenery can really help to re-focus your mind.
Cool the space, cool the brain
A fan near your desk helps more than you think. If you can, keep curtains closed during peak sun hours, or work somewhere shaded like the Library. Even something simple like running cold water over your wrists or keeping a damp cloth on your neck can lower your body temperature just enough to help you focus again.
"…go easy on yourself…"
Bonus tip: freeze a water bottle and put it on your legs. Trust me—it’s weirdly effective.
Hydrate like it’s your job
When it’s hot, dehydration sneaks up fast—and with it comes brain fog, headaches, and irritability (not ideal for chapter edits or stats coding). I keep a jug of cold water at my desk with slices of lemon and mint—it feels fancy, makes me drink more, and above all, it’s really refreshing!
Tea and coffee still count (yes, even that second iced latte), not to mention the occasional ice cream or lolly—but when it comes to focus and stamina, water is your real best friend.
Be kind to your overheated self
You’re not imagining it: cognitive performance does drop in high temperatures. So go easy on yourself. Swap the hard stuff for lighter tasks if needed—organise your files, proofread something, listen to a research podcast.
Rest is part of your rhythm, not a break from it.
And if all else fails…
Sometimes the heat wins (sadly!). Step away. Find shade. Eat something chilled. Come back when the sun dips and your brain feels human again. Academic life isn’t about powering through every moment—it’s about making smart choices so you can keep going long-term.
Hopefully, these tried and tested tips will help you to stay cool while you study.
Have you seen these other studying tips and tricks?
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University is often described as “the best time of your life”, and while that can mean exciting lectures, career opportunities, and academic discovery, let’s be honest… it also means late-night chats, spontaneous day trips, society events, and yes, dancing to questionable playlists at the SU. But how do you enjoy the social side of university without your studies quietly slipping into a state of chaos? Shuangting shares how she manages!
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How to Keep a Good Work/Life Balance at University
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
Many students say that when they try to prioritize their life and wellbeing, it feels like work is being sacrificed, and vice-versa. This is the challenge of a work/life balance: it is a seesaw that you continuously have to adjust. This continuous adjustment is key to its maintenance, however. It is challenging to reach a good balance without checking in with yourself and seeing what is and isn’t working. Here are some of Laura’s tips on making sure you have time for both leisure and study at university.
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Studying can be a daunting task for all students, but those of us who are neurodivergent or have Specific Learning Differences often face more barriers to studying both independently and in the Library. Here is a list of tips from Laura to make studying adaptable and a little less overwhelming. The decision tree can be used as a starting point for studying in the Library, as it offers a visual guide to our different study spaces tailored towards neurodiverse students.
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Moving to a new country to study is not just about switching classrooms; it’s about switching entire systems of thinking, speaking, learning, and sometimes, even eating dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Fortunately, you’re not alone and Shuangting is here to share their tips on how to handle the transition.
Productivity Hacks for All Students
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Maintaining productivity is easier said than done. We all have our productive and unproductive days. But how do we survive University with all of it’s deadlines when we’re just not in the right mood to get anything done? Here are some of Sophie’s hacks to help weather the unproductive days.
Balancing Book and Bookings: Tips for Working Part-Time While Studying Full Time
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either thinking about taking on a part-time job during university or you’ve already jumped in and are now juggling timetables and timesheets. First of all – go you. Managing both is no small feat, and from one student to another, I can tell you: it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset, a bit of planning, and a good sense of humour. Shuangting is here to share her tips on how to manage it all.
Keeping Momentum as a PG in the Summer Vacation Period
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Let’s face it - summer is strange as a postgrad. The undergrads have packed up and left, campus events have slowed down, and the pace around you might feel more like a Sunday afternoon than a working week. But for postgraduates, it’s not a break. Whether you’re a PGT wrestling with your dissertation or a PGR continuing your research (unless you’re on well-earned annual leave!), the work doesn’t stop - though the structure might. Here’s Juanmo Xu’s tips for keeping up the momentum in the summer.
Tips for Studying in the Heat
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Summer at Warwick can surprise you. One week it’s pouring. The next, you’re melting over your laptop, trying to revise or write while your brain slowly turns to soup. Whether you’re based on campus or studying back home, here are some tips Juanmo has found helpful for actually getting work done in hot weather—without wilting in the process.
24-Hour Library: How Not To Leave Things to the Last Minute
By a previous Warwick student
The Library is 24/7 but you don’t need to be. Sometimes it’s inevitable that we end up leaving things to the last minute, but it’s better if that doesn’t happen all the time. So here’s one students’ best advice on how to avoid too many all-nighters and beat the procrastination bug!