Intersession:
Intersession:
How to Use Intersession to Rest and Reset for the Next Term
Intersession — that short window between semesters — often gets treated like bonus time to “get ahead.” Many doctoral students work straight through, tackling scholarly reading, writing, and research as if the break doesn’t exist. I’m here to tell you: at least part of that time should be completely off-limits for academic work.
Intersession — that short window between semesters — often gets treated like bonus time to “get ahead.” Many doctoral students work straight through, tackling scholarly reading, writing, and research as if the break doesn’t exist. I’m here to tell you: at least part of that time should be completely off-limits for academic work.
Yes, really. And here’s why.
Yes, really. And here’s why.
1. Rest Is Part of the WorkWhen you push straight through from one term to the next, your focus and motivation start to fray — sometimes without you noticing until you hit a wall mid-semester. Taking at least one week fully off from scholarly reading and writing gives your brain time to recharge. Think of it as preventative maintenance for your academic stamina.2. Plan Your Break Like You Plan Your SemesterMark the first week of intersession as non-negotiable rest time in your calendar. That means no journal articles “just for fun,” no “quick” revisions, and no starting next term’s assignments early. Instead, catch up on sleep, read something purely for pleasure, spend time outside, or reconnect with hobbies that get pushed aside during the semester.3. Use the Second Half for Light PrepOnce you’ve taken a real break, you can use the remaining intersession days for low-pressure, maintenance-style tasks:
- Organizing your reference library (Zotero, EndNote, or whatever you use). Or, take the time to learn to use those tools in advance of needing them! They're worth the learning curve.
- Creating or updating your writing calendar for the next term.
- Setting up folders or templates for upcoming assignments.
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