10 things every Newcastle Uni student is looking forward to this summer

As I walked to my 9am this morning with zero will to live and 12 layers on, I couldn’t help but fantasise about swapping my lectures for lounging in the sun. Even if I will (without a doubt) be working 40 hours a week, there are still some things that make every uni student’s summer bearable.

If you’re lucky enough to have a few hours of peace between your end-of-module assignment chaos, or (like me) soul-sucking shifts, then here are 10 things that may motivate you to survive this summer.

1. Exploring the markets

I know I love to romanticise my life, so you will too. Romanticise your summer exploring the Quayside market, whilst trying (and failing) to refrain yourself from buying a sweet treat from every stall – don’t be fooled, I’m guilty of this.

Enjoy the views of Newcastle’s infamous rivers, indulge in some retail therapy, and soak in the sun – but please wear SPF, I am not responsible for any burns as a result of these activities.

The market runs on Sundays 9:30am-4pm, making it the perfect cure for your Saturday night hangxiety. Bonus points if you count it as “self care”. Feeling extra hangxiety and need to leave the city centre? Check out Tynemouth’s markets too, every weekend from 9am-3pm.

2. BEER GARDENS

As you can tell by the capitalisation of this, I am extremely enthusiastic about this one. Fact: Every student loves a beer garden, whether you fancy sipping on a pint of cider or a pint of post-mix Pepsi Max – why do these hit so different?

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Forgetting your worries with your most loyal companion (alcohol, that is) and chatting with your friends all whilst being under the sun, listening to pub tunes is my idea of a very nice day out.

A few personal favourites consist of The Tyne Bar, Urban Garden, or really any pub on Osborne Road. Boozing on a budget? Maybe check out the Mile Castle’s new huge beer garden (275m btw).

If you’re wondering what the timespan is for this option, then there isn’t one, but don’t blame me if you drunk dial your situationship x

3. The beach

This one could potentially be controversial and I will judge you on your answer: Are you a beach or a pool person? I am personally a pool enthusiast, but if you prefer finding sand in every possible crevice until summer 2026, then a trip to Tynemouth beach is perfect.

Grab an ice cream, or a tinny, lay down your beach towel, put some tunes on, and pretend you are soaking in the sun of a Greek island – of course this is difficult in Newcastle weather, but a girl can only dream.

4. BBQs

If you love a sausage (yes, I’m talking about the actual sausage, but also, maybe not) then you, of course, love a BBQ.

BBQs are the perfect way to showcase you are a professional grill master, even if you struggle to cook a Pot Noodle. Let’s be real, who doesn’t like to eat all day and pretend they’re doing nothing? Well, BBQs are the perfect excuse – except if you’re the host and have to clean up after lol. Grab some food, drinks, friends (hopefully), and tunes, and you have a solid summer afternoon lineup.

5. Festivals

Many students love a good festival, and lucky for you, Newcastle has a local one. Loosefest is confirmed to return another year to Newcastle’s town moor from 1st to 3rd August. 2025 sign-ups are now live, so if you fancy some live music, DJs, and dancing, then this is perfect for you! Check out their website for more details, or use this link to sign up.

6. Girls holiday

This is inspired by my bank account, who is currently suffering, due to me and my friendship group booking Albufeira 2025. Money comes back ladies, but you will never be able to relive being a uni student fresh out the pool, eating Lays, thinking about which night character you will spot on the strip.

You can’t put a price on living your best uni life with your best uni friends. So book that holiday. There’s a reason for SFE, and it isn’t to pay our rent. You will not regret it, at least not until next month x

7. Rotting sessions

If you’re a student, you will definitely know about this one. Maybe you’re even doing this whilst reading this right now! Rotting. Bed rotting, TikTok rotting, sofa rotting, Instagram Reel rotting (I see you). How to define rotting? Well I, of course, went to trusty ChatGPT, who used the term “zombie-like state”, and I think that sums it up perfectly. In summer, the art of rotting is endless; no guilt, no responsibilities, just pure, undisturbed rotting – and I can’t wait.

8. Tanning

This morning I woke, head pounding from my night at GDT (shout out), to the marinating stench of biscuits. Why, you may ask? Fake tan. If you happen to be lucky enough to build a solid natural tan in summer, then the absence of biscuit stench, the extra £20 a month and a lovely golden glow is vital for that unmatched summer confidence.

Bonus point: No risk of carrot fingers. Minus point: Risk of burning and swelling your feet – this is a first hand experience.

9. Summer style

I personally hate when I have spent ages crafting my outfit for it all to be covered by my huge puffer coat. Well, in summer, that issue doesn’t exist. Colours, prints, skirts, shorts, and my personal favourite, linen trousers.

You can look super fashionable, flaunt your hard-worked outfits, and you can still remain at a comfortable temperature – what more could you ask for?

More importantly, you don’t have to overthink your club outfits anymore because you won’t have to deal with the hassle of fluctuating temperatures – no more freezing in a long, cold queue for 40 minutes, only to then overheat in a sweltering, packed club when you finally get inside.

10. Longer days

Daylight savings has many more benefits than you may realise at first glance. The first benefit: A lack of seasonal depression, because who can be sad in the evening when it is lovely and bright outside?

The second, and most important benefit: longer days means more hours of acceptable “day drinking”, and everyone loves day drinking. Even if it’s 9pm, the blue skies make it misleading, so drink at 9pm and you can still technically call it “day drinking.” There is, however, a major inconvenience to longer days for us part-time working students: longer day drinking = busier pub shifts = a loss of will to live.

I hope these 10 things got you excited for summer days in the midst of this ice-cold February. You’ve got this x