Smart PhDs withdraw, using seasonal downtime to sustain focused work, prevent burnout and prepare for the next season.
by Cherene de Bruyn
PUBLISHED: 13 August 2026 on Substack
In academics, summer marks a distinct shift in tempo as things slow down. Hallways and lecture rooms echo with silence**.** Only a handful of PhDs and lecturers can be seen silently typing away in their offices as summer gives way to a quieter rhythm. For many academics, summer is the only time they get to retreat and take a proper break.
For those of us from the global south, this downtime usually arrives in December. But here in the UK, and across the northern hemisphere, July and August mark the academic lull around university campuses. However, regardless of your geography, its function remains the same. It’s a time to pause. For PhD students, this break in the academic calendar is also an opportunity to recover and reflect.
Time to enter Maintenance Mode
Academic life is relentless. Supervisor and students’ calendars are overscheduled and demanding. Throughout the year, PhDs have to juggle teaching activities (or demonstrating), writing, lab work, analysis and tons of supervisory meetings. While spared from administrative burdens, our schedules are packed with many responsibilities geared to make us better scholars. Maintaining peak concentration to stay on top of things without taking a break, like during summer, can quickly lead to exhaustion and burnout.
In professional sports, recovery is built into the training cycle. “Maintenance Mode” is the period in the off-season when athletes ease off from regular training to give their bodies and minds time to rest and recover. They reduce the intensity of their training, focusing on activities that will help them maintain a consistent performance and preserve their fitness levels without pushing their bodies’ limits. This allows them to return stronger and better rested for the next season, without injuries or fatigue. Knowledge workers, like PhD students, can benefit from a similar approach. I was introduced to this concept in a podcast episode of Cal Newport’s Deep Life, where he discusses ‘Productivity Maintenance Modes’. According to Newport, a ‘Productivity Maintenance Mode’ is when we take a break from our normal schedule. It allows us to have a minimal dose of organisation over summer and prevents us from falling into chaos or falling behind.
PhD students should adopt this mindset during the summer. Our brains are our most important organ and muscle. During the academic year, we push and stretch it to its limits, working long hours, spending time planning and grappling with concepts and data. Like other muscles, we need to give our brains a break. A time to reset and recover. Summer is the perfect time and opportunity for PhDs to go into ‘Productivity Maintenance Mode’. It is a time to dial back from the academic life, but still maintain just enough structure to avoid chaos. The goal is not to maximise in getting as much done as possible in our free time, but to maintain a focused rhythm at a comfortable pace, while enjoying some seasonal downtime.
Designing a sustainable summer schedule
To implement ‘Productivity Maintenance Mode’ effectively, PhD students could try the following suggestions:
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Schedule a Reflection Session: Apart from soaking up the sun or getting your steps in, summer can be a strategic time for reflection. Reviewing the progress made towards your PhD goals during the last year is a good way to close the academic year. It can also serve as the starting point for planning the new academic year. Set aside an afternoon, just one, to review your progress. Make yourself a cup of tea and get it done. During this window, identify new goals for the upcoming year and congratulate yourself on the goals you have already reached. This simple ritual can help you start the new academic year with clarity while others scramble for direction.
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Block Daily Focus Time: Block out one hour a day for focused work, which can include reading or writing. Summer is a good time to sit outside and write for a dedicated block of time. A single morning session is enough to keep your mind in rhythm. You’re not aiming for breakthroughs, just consistency. So don’t overdo it. This daily routine prevents your body from going into productivity shock when you return to the fast pace of your normal daily work schedule after the summer break.
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Avoid Overscheduling: If you aren’t travelling and staying on campus, resist the temptation to overschedule or overcommit your days. This is an easy trap to fall into. Over summer the labs and library are empty. There is no waiting for equipment. It seems like the perfect time to do most of your analysis. Unless you have scheduled a period of rest after summer when everyone returns, don’t fill your calendar. Rather, develop a schedule that balances progress and rest. Maybe dedicate mornings to lab work and afternoons for walks and museum or beach visits (if the weather is nice). You want to start the new year with fresh energy. Not drained and overworked. This will most likely affect your progress in the long run (PhDs are all about the long game). So slow down. If you were smart, by scheduling daily writing or focused sessions over the summer, you will make progress. And when your supervisor comes back after their summer leave, you will have something to show them. But importantly, you won’t be fatigued or burned out. You will probably also enjoy what you are doing more.
Cultivating mindfulness over summer
Recovery is not limited to rest. It also includes intentional, mindful engagement with activities that broaden our perspective and restore our curiosity in the world around us. PhD students can consider some of the key points below to rekindle their spark for adventure:
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Make the most of the Moment: As you enjoy the summer sun, be mindful of how you spend your time. Make sure to capitalise on the nice sunny days (those are in short supply in the UK). Be flexible in case the weather changes. Don’t default to binge-watching shows on Netflix. It’s probably not a good way for your body and mind to recover. Yes, include times for watching your shows, but also plan other activities, or go watch a movie in the cinema or a play at the local theatre.
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Invest in Curiosity: Summer is also a good time to pick up your hobbies or read a book. Keep a good sleeping routine and go to the gym. Being mindful of how you spend your time during leisure will pay dividends when your schedule returns to normal.
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Make time for Exploration: If you are like me, an international student, use the summer to explore the city. Learn about the food, the people and the culture by exploring it for yourself. As PhDs, we are working hard on solving society’s challenges. Invest time in travel, and it will broaden your worldview. Who knows, exploring new places and talking with strangers on the bus might lead to some interesting connections that could make your research more impactful.
Closing thoughts – A smart scholar’s strategy
Summer is not an empty void in the academic calendar. It’s a strategic break, a tactical withdrawal (or at least it should be). We need to be approaching it with a strategic plan and focused intention. Whether you’re writing, walking, or wandering, make this season count. Be mindful and use your time wisely, so you can return to campus recharged and ready to go.
Stay curious. Stay kind.Begin again – refreshed!