Written by Catalina Constantin (3rd year Journalism & Media student at DMU)
Not ready to head back home this summer? Haven’t got a holiday planned? You don’t need to! It is quite exciting to consider staying in your accommodation over the summer period. We’ve selected several reasons to spend your time in Leicester filled with places to visit and things to do allowing you to relax, get adjusted, and ready for the academic year ahead.
Leicester is a wonderful place to visit with a wide range of attractions and shopping opportunities. Immerse yourself in the city. Explore the markets and shopping. Get quality local produce such as fruit and vegetables at the outdoor Leicester Market.
Walk and explore the town inside and out at your own pace. St Martin’s Coffee Shop, Saints of Mokha, and independent places such as Bread and Honey and The Tiny Bakery are definitely worth checking out.
Venture to the local restaurants such as Casa Romana, Crafty Burger, Phat Buns, or check out Gelato Village for a nice dessert.
If you are searching for a one-stop shopping experience with retailers, cafés, restaurants, and cinemas, the Highcross Leicester shopping centre could be for you. You’ll be surprised by how much there is to discover in Leicester.
Enjoy a performance at the spectacular Curve theatre, check out De Montfort Hall for events, catch a film at the Phoenix, or immerse yourself in art at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, The National Space Centre, Beta X, or Abbey Pumping Station.
Take time out to explore Leicester like the riverside and the parks. Abbey Park is pretty central and you can find Victoria Park next to The University of Leicester. If you venture outside the city, you’ll find Bradgate Park to explore.
Looking for festivals, music, bars, clubs, and venues? Check out Firebug, Handmade Festival, Wide Eyed, Beyond Festival, Bring The Paint, and the Caribbean Carnival.
Being in the middle of England, you could consider planning a road trip. Anywhere would you like to go? Hop on a train at the railway station or go a bit further away from East Midlands Airport.
Get used to your independence. Adjusting from living at home with parents or guardians to having to live by yourself is an adventure. You get to decide when and what to do.
Get a full-time or a part-time job. Whether it’s a summer job to pay the bills, get some work experience, or have a bit of fun, getting a job while still being a student is a great way of preparing yourself before you actually have to find your graduate job. Add valuable skills to your CV whilst earning money!
Have a bit of ‘me’ time, whether you need to relax or is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. If you can, escape the student bubble and take the time to get to know the local people you share your university town with.
I know catching up on your studies doesn’t sound amazing during a time of fun but it was definitely helpful for me. Get yourself back up to speed if your motivation strikes, the librarys are still open over summer.
Don’t forget to relax! You don’t want to overwork yourself. You need to be well-rested and have a clear head for the academic year ahead. Enjoy the summer! You never know, once you graduate, this city may become your home!
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash