How to Prepare for a Summer Course: Top Tips From Former Atlas Student Marit

Getting accepted onto a summer course is exciting.

You have chosen a subject you want to explore, you may be preparing to travel somewhere new, and you are about to meet students from different countries and educational backgrounds.

But once the excitement settles in, another question usually appears:

How should I actually prepare?

Do you need to start studying months in advance?

Should you read textbooks?

Do you need to know how to write an academic essay?

Should you research your destination before arriving?

Former Atlas Summer Courses student Marit Schillinger has some useful advice.

Marit attended an Atlas Summer Courses Law programme for students aged 16–17 in 2019. After completing her course, she shared the preparation strategies that helped her make the most of the experience.

Her biggest message is reassuring: you do not need to arrive as an expert.

But a little preparation can make it easier to participate, ask better questions and spend more of your course exploring ideas rather than trying to catch up with unfamiliar terminology.

Here are Marit’s tips, alongside practical advice for students preparing for an Atlas Summer Courses programme today.

Meet Marit

Marit Schillinger studied Law with Atlas Summer Courses in 2019 as part of the 16–17 age group.

Her course took place in Oxford, where she combined academic study with the wider social and cultural experience of attending a summer programme away from home.

Afterwards, she wanted to help future students prepare for their own courses.

Her advice focuses particularly on four things:

• completing any pre-course reading;
• understanding the basics of academic writing;
• developing some introductory subject knowledge; and
• researching the place where your programme will take place.

These are simple steps, but they can make arriving at summer school feel much less overwhelming.

1. Complete Your Pre-Course Reading

Marit’s first recommendation is straightforward:

If your tutor sends you a reading list or preparation work, do it.

She remembers receiving material from her Law tutor before her programme began.

The reading included chapters from different books designed to introduce some of the topics the group would explore during the summer.

She was also asked to prepare two short essays.

For Marit, receiving that material made the approaching course suddenly feel much more real.

Pre-course work may look intimidating at first, particularly if it involves a subject you have never studied formally.

But the objective is not to turn you into an expert before you arrive.

The preparation gives you a foundation.

Why Is Pre-Course Reading Useful?

Imagine arriving at your first seminar and encountering ten unfamiliar terms in the opening discussion.

You spend most of the session simply trying to understand the vocabulary.

Now imagine you have already encountered several of those ideas in your preparation.

You may not understand them perfectly.

But you recognise them.

That gives you more space to participate.

You can ask deeper questions rather than spending the entire session trying to establish what the topic means.

This is one reason Marit strongly recommends completing whatever preparation your tutor provides.

Does Every Atlas Course Have a Reading List?

Not necessarily.

Marit specifically points out that pre-course preparation can depend on the tutor and the way the course is structured.

Her Law tutor sent reading material and essay tasks.

Another course may use a different form of preparation.

Students should therefore follow the instructions provided for their own programme rather than assuming Marit’s 2019 Law preparation applies universally.

If you are not given a reading list, that does not mean you have missed anything.

Your tutor may simply have structured the course differently.

Do You Need to Memorise Your Reading?

No.

Marit’s advice is not to learn everything by heart.

The purpose of preparation is to become familiar with the subject.

You are attending the course to learn.

If you already understood everything perfectly, there would be little point in going.

Instead of memorising every sentence, concentrate on questions such as:

What is the main argument?

Which ideas are unfamiliar?

What do I disagree with?

What would I like to ask my tutor?

This creates a much more useful foundation for discussion.

2. Take Notes While You Read

Marit recommends making notes as you work through assigned chapters, articles or other academic material.

This does not mean copying everything.

Effective notes should help you retrieve the most important ideas quickly.

You might record:

• the main argument;
• important concepts;
• useful examples;
• questions you have;
• arguments you agree or disagree with; and
• page numbers for information you may want to find again.

The page-number tip is particularly practical.

If you later need to revisit a passage while writing something, knowing exactly where it came from can save considerable time.

Why Not Just Highlight Everything?

Because highlighting an entire page does not tell you what matters.

Try to process the information while you read.

If the author makes an argument, write the argument in your own words.

If you disagree, note why.

If something is confusing, mark it as a question.

This turns reading from a passive activity into an active one.

By the time the course begins, you already have ideas you can bring to a seminar or tutorial.

3. Keep Your Notes Organised

Marit recommends keeping preparation material somewhere you can easily access it later.

That could be:

a digital folder;

a notebook;

a document on your laptop;

or another system that works for you.

The important thing is being able to find your ideas again.

There is little value in making excellent notes and then losing them among fifty unrelated documents.

A simple folder structure might include:

Reading

Questions

Essay ideas

Course notes

Useful sources

You do not need an elaborate academic productivity system.

You just need something that makes sense to you.

4. Learn the Basics of Academic Essay Writing

Marit’s second major recommendation is particularly useful for students who have never written a formal academic essay.

Spend a little time understanding the basics before the course.

Depending on your subject, you may need to present an argument in writing.

Knowing some fundamental principles can make this much easier.

An academic essay usually needs:

a clear response to the question;

a logical structure;

evidence or examples;

analysis rather than description;

and a conclusion that follows from the argument.

You do not need to become a professional academic writer before arriving.

Understanding the basic structure is enough to give yourself a head start.

5. Understand the Difference Between Description and Analysis

This is one of the most useful academic distinctions to learn.

Description tells the reader what happened or what someone said.

Analysis asks:

Why does this matter?

How strong is the argument?

What does the evidence show?

Could there be another interpretation?

Suppose you are studying Law.

Description might explain what a particular judgement said.

Analysis considers why the reasoning matters, whether it is convincing and what its consequences might be.

That transition from description towards analysis becomes increasingly important as students move towards higher education.

6. Learn How to Build an Argument

An academic essay should not simply be a collection of facts.

It should usually have an argument.

Imagine the essay question is asking whether a particular law is effective.

Your response might be:

Yes, because...

No, because...

or:

It is effective in some respects but limited in others because...

Then each section of the essay needs to contribute towards demonstrating that argument.

A useful question to ask after every paragraph is:

“How does this help answer the question?”

If you cannot answer, the paragraph may not need to be there.

7. Understand Basic Referencing

Marit also suggests learning the basics of quoting and referencing if you have not encountered them before.

You do not necessarily need to master a complex citation system in advance.

But you should understand the principle:

If an idea, quotation or piece of evidence came from somewhere else, you need to keep track of the source.

This is another reason recording page numbers while reading is useful.

Your tutor can explain any specific referencing expectations that apply to the course.

Do not worry if your school uses a different referencing system from another student's school.

Academic conventions vary.

8. Don't Panic About Essay Writing

Students sometimes see the word essay and imagine they are expected to produce university-level work immediately.

That is not the point.

An academic summer programme is a learning environment.

If writing forms part of your course, tutors can use it to understand how you are thinking and help you improve.

A first attempt does not need to be perfect.

In fact, imperfect work can generate useful feedback.

A tutor might identify:

a strong argument that needs better evidence;

good research that needs clearer organisation;

or interesting ideas that need more precise explanation.

That feedback is part of the learning process.

9. Develop Some Basic Subject Knowledge

Marit’s third recommendation is to arrive with a basic understanding of your chosen subject.

Again, the goal is not expertise.

A small amount of background knowledge can simply allow you to move more quickly towards interesting questions.

Suppose you are taking a Law programme.

Understanding basic concepts such as legislation, courts, precedent or legal reasoning could make unfamiliar discussions easier to follow.

For another subject, the useful foundations will be different.

The principle remains the same:

Know enough to begin asking interesting questions.

10. Why Prior Knowledge Can Help

Imagine learning to play a new game.

The first hour is spent understanding the rules.

Only afterwards can you start thinking about strategy.

Academic subjects can work similarly.

If you already understand some basic terminology and foundational concepts, you can spend more time exploring deeper questions.

That is why Marit says creating a small knowledge base before arriving allowed her to get more from her tutor and engage with more challenging ideas.

11. How Much Should You Study Before Summer School?

Probably less than you think.

There is no need to turn the weeks before summer school into another examination period.

If your tutor provides preparation, prioritise that.

Beyond it, you might spend a little time:

reading introductory material;

watching a reputable documentary or lecture;

following recent developments connected to your subject;

or writing down questions you want to explore.

The objective is curiosity, not exhaustion.

You want to arrive interested.

Not burned out.

12. What if You've Never Studied the Subject Before?

That may be exactly why you chose the course.

Students often consider university subjects they cannot study formally at school.

Law is a common example.

So are areas of medicine, business, engineering and other specialist disciplines.

If the course accepts students without prior formal study, you should not feel that everybody else will automatically know more than you.

Prepare what you are asked to prepare.

Learn a few basics.

Then arrive ready to ask questions.

13. Make a List of Questions Before You Arrive

This is one of the easiest ways to prepare.

Write down five things you genuinely want to understand.

They do not need to sound sophisticated.

For example:

Why do judges sometimes disagree about the same law?

How does artificial intelligence recognise patterns?

Why do some businesses grow rapidly while others fail?

What actually makes a medical treatment effective?

Why do historians disagree about events that have already happened?

Questions give your learning direction.

You may discover completely different interests once the course begins, but starting with curiosity is useful.

14. Read Around Your Subject

If you want to go beyond the assigned preparation, read something introductory connected to your subject.

That does not necessarily mean buying a large university textbook.

You might choose:

an introductory book;

a reputable magazine article;

a journalistic investigation;

a documentary;

a podcast featuring an expert;

or another accessible resource.

The aim is simply to encounter some of the questions people in that field think about.

Then you can arrive with more context.

15. Follow Current Developments

Some subjects change particularly quickly.

Law responds to new legislation and court decisions.

Medicine develops through research.

Technology evolves constantly.

Economics responds to political and market events.

If your subject has a strong contemporary element, following recent developments before the course can give you interesting material to discuss.

Ask yourself:

What has happened recently in this field?

Why does it matter?

You do not need to know everything.

One interesting current issue can generate an excellent academic conversation.

16. Research Your Study Location

Marit’s fourth major recommendation has nothing to do with textbooks.

Research where you are going.

Academic study is only one part of a summer programme.

Students also spend time exploring their surroundings, participating in activities and getting to know other students.

Marit attended her programme in Oxford.

Before arriving, she recommends looking at the city and deciding whether there are particular places you would like to see.

That might include:

museums;

parks;

historic areas;

galleries;

shops;

or other attractions.

A little research can help you make better use of whatever free time your programme provides.

17. Don't Try to See Everything

This is especially useful advice for students visiting somewhere for the first time.

You probably will not see everything.

That is fine.

Trying to turn every free hour into a sightseeing challenge can make the experience exhausting.

Instead, identify a few things you genuinely care about.

Perhaps there is one museum you really want to visit.

One bookshop.

One park.

One particular landmark.

Then anything else becomes a bonus.

18. Check Your Programme Before Planning Free Time

Students should also remember that programme arrangements can differ according to age.

Younger students generally have more structured supervision.

Older students may have greater opportunities for independent time within programme rules.

Do not create a detailed independent sightseeing itinerary before understanding what your course actually allows.

Use the current programme information and follow the instructions provided by the Atlas On-Course team.

Your summer is a programme first, not an independent city break.

19. Research Oxford Before an Atlas Summer Course

If your Atlas Summer Course takes place in Oxford, spend a little time learning how the city is laid out.

You might want to identify:

central streets;

museums;

parks;

shopping areas;

and places connected to your academic interests.

This can make your surroundings feel much less unfamiliar when you arrive.

However, remember an important distinction:

attending an Atlas Summer Courses programme in Oxford is not the same as studying at the University of Oxford.

Atlas Summer Courses is an independent education provider.

20. Research Cambridge Before a Cambridge Summer Course

The same applies if your programme takes place in Cambridge.

Look at the city before travelling.

You might identify places you would particularly like to see and become familiar with the general geography.

Again, an Atlas programme taking place in Cambridge remains an independent Atlas Summer Courses programme.

Students are not enrolled at the University of Cambridge simply because their course takes place in the city.

21. Research Harrow Before a Junior Programme

Younger students attending Atlas programmes in Harrow may not have the same independent free-time arrangements as older students.

Even so, knowing something about where you are going can help make arrival feel less unfamiliar.

Look at the programme information with your parent or guardian.

Understand where you will be staying.

Talk about what a residential programme will be like.

And think about what you are most excited to experience.

For younger students, emotional preparation can be just as useful as academic preparation.

22. Understand the Difference Between Location and Provider

This is particularly important when researching summer programmes.

Atlas Summer Courses is an independent education provider.

A programme taking place in Oxford does not make it a University of Oxford programme.

A programme taking place in Cambridge does not make it a University of Cambridge programme.

Similarly, where Atlas uses facilities belonging to another educational institution, use of those facilities does not itself mean that institution operates or academically validates the Atlas programme.

Students should describe their experience accurately as an Atlas Summer Courses programme.

23. Get Excited About Meeting New People

Marit remembers meeting students from around the world as an important part of her summer.

For some students, this is exciting immediately.

For others, it is slightly intimidating.

You may arrive knowing nobody.

So will plenty of other students.

A simple conversation can begin with:

“Where are you from?”

“What are you studying?”

“Is this your first time here?”

Nobody expects you to arrive with an established friendship group.

The fact that everybody is entering a new environment can actually make conversations easier.

24. Be Ready to Talk to People Outside Your Normal Circle

If you travel with a friend, it can be tempting to spend the entire programme together.

Try not to.

One of the advantages of an international summer programme is meeting people outside your existing social environment.

Sit beside someone new.

Talk to students studying another subject.

Join activities.

Ask questions.

The friendships Marit remembers did not exist before she arrived.

They developed because students were willing to interact.

25. Don't Spend the Entire Programme in Your Room

Your accommodation provides somewhere to sleep, prepare and recharge.

It should not become the only place you spend your free time.

Participate in the wider programme.

Join activities.

Talk to people.

Explore opportunities available to your age group.

Students often remember the informal parts of summer programmes as strongly as the formal teaching.

A random conversation over dinner may become one of your favourite memories.

26. Prepare for Living Away From Home

For some students, summer school may be their first extended period away from family.

That is another type of preparation entirely.

Before travelling, practise some basic independence.

Can you:

organise your belongings;

get yourself ready on time;

remember what you need for the day;

manage your spending;

and ask an unfamiliar adult for help?

These skills sound simple.

They make residential life considerably easier.

27. Expect the First Day to Feel Strange

Even students who are extremely excited can feel slightly overwhelmed when they arrive.

There are new people.

New buildings.

New routines.

New names.

And lots of information.

That does not mean something is wrong.

Give yourself time to settle.

Within a few days, places that initially seem confusing can become completely familiar.

Marit’s own reflection on how quickly her two weeks passed is a useful reminder: what feels unfamiliar at the beginning can soon become something you are reluctant to leave.

28. Pack Practically

Follow the current Atlas packing information for your programme.

Do not rely entirely on what a student brought in 2019.

Programme details and facilities can change.

Think practically about:

clothing;

comfortable shoes;

toiletries;

chargers;

study materials;

weather;

and anything specifically requested for your course.

Students travelling internationally should also check travel documentation and electrical adaptor requirements.

Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables.

29. Bring Something for Taking Notes

Academic sessions can generate ideas quickly.

Bring whatever note-taking method works for you.

That might be:

a notebook;

a laptop;

a tablet;

or another method permitted by the programme.

You do not need to record every word the tutor says.

Focus on:

ideas;

questions;

arguments;

examples;

feedback;

and things you want to investigate later.

Good notes should help you think, not simply prove that you were present.

30. Don't Forget Your Questions

If you wrote questions during your preparation, bring them.

Some may be answered naturally.

Others could become useful discussion points.

And you may discover that the question itself was based on a misunderstanding.

That is useful too.

Academic progress often begins with changing the question.

31. Participate in Seminars

Older Atlas programmes can involve discussion-based seminars.

You will get more from them if you participate.

That does not mean speaking constantly.

Good participation includes listening.

Responding to someone else's point.

Asking for clarification.

Explaining why you disagree.

And occasionally admitting:

“I'm not sure.”

A seminar works because students contribute to the discussion.

32. Make the Most of Tutorials

Where tutorial-style teaching is included in your programme, arrive prepared.

If you completed work beforehand, know what you wrote.

Think about where you struggled.

Identify something you want the tutor to explain.

Tutorials can become particularly useful when students bring real questions rather than waiting passively for the tutor to tell them what to think.

Remember that an Atlas tutorial is an Atlas Summer Courses academic session, not a University of Oxford or University of Cambridge tutorial.

33. Ask Your Tutor Questions

Marit explicitly reminds students that tutors are there to help.

If you do not understand something, ask.

If you are interested in a related topic, ask.

If you want feedback on how you approached something, ask.

Students sometimes worry that questions reveal weakness.

Usually, they reveal engagement.

The student who asks:

“Why does this argument work?”

may ultimately understand the topic much more deeply than the person who remains silent because they do not want anyone to know they are confused.

34. Don't Try to Impress Your Tutor

You are not attending summer school to prove that you already know everything.

Trying constantly to sound impressive can actually make learning harder.

It can stop you asking basic questions.

It can make you afraid of mistakes.

And it can turn discussion into performance.

Be curious instead.

A thoughtful:

“I don't understand this part”

can lead to a much more valuable conversation than pretending you do.

35. Be Open to Changing Your Mind

You may arrive with strong opinions.

That is fine.

But academic discussion works best when students are willing to reconsider them.

Perhaps another student provides evidence you had not considered.

Perhaps your tutor questions an assumption.

Perhaps further reading changes your perspective.

Changing your mind because you encountered stronger reasoning is not losing an argument.

It is learning.

36. Use Your Free Time Well

Free time does not need to be academically productive every minute.

Talk to people.

Walk.

Relax.

Visit somewhere interesting where your programme rules allow.

Buy an ice cream.

Call home.

Rest.

Students sometimes assume that because they have travelled somewhere for an academic programme, every moment must be educational.

Rest is useful too.

You will participate more effectively if you are not exhausted.

37. Join the Organised Activities

Marit remembers the social side of her programme very positively.

Organised evening activities and trips create easy opportunities to meet people.

You do not need to be interested in every single activity equally.

But joining in can introduce you to students you have not yet spoken to.

Sometimes the activity itself is less important than the people you experience it with.

38. Make the Most of Excursions

Where your programme includes excursions, use them as more than an opportunity to take photographs.

Look around.

Ask questions.

Learn something about where you are.

Talk to other students.

Marit’s own experience included exploring Oxford alongside organised trips during her summer.

Current itineraries vary, so students should check their programme rather than assuming that destinations from a 2019 course remain part of the current schedule.

39. Don't Compare Your Experience Constantly With Social Media

A summer programme is a real experience.

That means some moments will be exciting.

Others will be ordinary.

You may occasionally be tired.

A class may be difficult.

It may rain.

You might miss home.

None of this means the experience is failing.

Social media tends to show the most photogenic moments.

Real life contains everything between them.

Give yourself permission to experience the programme rather than constantly trying to make it look perfect.

40. Stay Curious Outside Your Own Subject

You may arrive because you love Law.

Your roommate might be studying Medicine.

Someone at dinner might be interested in Engineering.

Another student could be fascinated by Business.

Talk to them.

One of the advantages of being surrounded by students with different academic interests is discovering questions you had never thought about.

You do not need to remain inside your own subject for the entire summer.

41. Make Friends Across Different Countries

An international student community gives you an unusual opportunity.

Ask people about where they live.

What school is like there.

What they study.

Which languages they speak.

What they think about the topics you are discussing.

You may discover that something you assumed was universal is actually specific to your own experience.

That is one of the ways international environments broaden perspectives.

42. Keep a Record of Your Experience

You do not need to turn the summer into a diary project.

But recording a few things can be useful.

Write down:

interesting academic questions;

books or resources tutors recommend;

feedback you receive;

places you enjoyed;

and ideas you want to explore later.

Two weeks can pass quickly.

Marit specifically remembers feeling that her time in Oxford disappeared far too fast.

A few notes can help preserve details you would otherwise forget.

43. Take Tutor Feedback Seriously

If your tutor gives you feedback, save it.

Do not simply read it once and forget about it.

Ask:

What am I doing well?

What should I improve?

Is there something I could practise after the programme?

Perhaps your writing needs stronger evidence.

Maybe your arguments are good but need clearer organisation.

Perhaps you contribute thoughtful ideas but need more confidence presenting them.

Specific feedback gives you something useful to work on afterwards.

44. Think About What You Want to Learn After the Course

A summer programme should not necessarily finish intellectually on the final day.

You may discover a new topic.

A book you want to read.

A problem you want to investigate.

A university subject you are now considering.

Or a question nobody fully answered.

Write it down.

That can become the starting point for your next stage of learning.

45. Don't Expect Summer School to Decide Your Entire Future

A summer programme can help you explore possibilities.

It cannot tell you exactly what degree, university or career you should choose.

You might discover that you love the subject.

You might become interested in something adjacent to it.

You might realise you do not enjoy it as much as expected.

All of those outcomes provide useful information.

The purpose of exploration is discovering more, not forcing a predetermined conclusion.

46. Can Summer School Help You Prepare for University?

It can provide opportunities to practise skills that become increasingly useful in higher education.

These can include:

• independent reading;
• academic discussion;
• essay writing;
• time management;
• research;
• responding to feedback; and
• managing your own preparation.

Marit felt that seminars, tutorials and independent work on her Law course gave her useful exposure to more independent academic study.

That was her individual experience rather than a guarantee that every course or student will have exactly the same outcome.

47. Is Atlas Summer Courses Part of Oxford University?

No.

Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer education provider.

Attending an Atlas programme in Oxford does not mean you are enrolled at the University of Oxford.

Similarly, Atlas tutorial-style teaching should not be described as University of Oxford teaching.

Students should choose their programme according to what Atlas itself provides, including the subject, teaching format, tutors, activities and wider summer experience.

48. Is Atlas Summer Courses Part of Cambridge University?

No.

Atlas is also independent of the University of Cambridge.

Students attending Atlas programmes in Cambridge are participating in Atlas Summer Courses' own programmes.

They are not University of Cambridge students by virtue of spending part of the summer in the city.

Accurate wording matters when describing the experience later.

49. What Is Atlas Summer Course Foundations?

The original account refers to Atlas Summer Course Foundations as an online pre-course platform available to accepted students to help them prepare before arriving.

Because online resources and programme features can change over time, students should check their current admissions or pre-arrival information to see what preparation platform or resources are available for their programme now.

The important principle remains the same:

use any pre-course resources Atlas provides.

They are there to help you arrive better prepared.

50. What If There Is No Pre-Course Platform for My Programme?

Do not worry.

You can still prepare effectively.

Read anything supplied by your tutor.

Research your subject.

Make a list of questions.

Learn a little about your destination.

Check your packing and travel information.

And arrive willing to participate.

Preparation does not need to involve an elaborate digital platform.

The mindset matters more.

A Simple Summer Course Preparation Checklist

Before leaving for your programme, make sure you have covered the essentials.

Academic preparation: Complete assigned reading or other pre-course work, organise your notes and write down questions you want to explore.

Practical preparation: Read current pre-arrival information, pack according to the programme guidance and understand your travel arrangements.

Location preparation: Learn a little about Harrow, Oxford or Cambridge depending on your programme and identify anything you are particularly interested in seeing where appropriate.

Personal preparation: Think about living away from home, meeting new people and how you will ask for help if you need it.

Mindset: Arrive curious rather than trying to arrive as an expert.

How to Prepare for a Law Summer Course

Marit’s own experience was in Law, so several of her tips are particularly relevant to prospective Law students.

You could begin by becoming familiar with some basic concepts.

What is legislation?

What is a court?

What is precedent?

How can legal arguments differ?

What happens when laws conflict?

You do not need detailed answers.

The goal is simply to understand enough terminology to begin participating when more complex questions arise.

If your tutor sends reading, prioritise that over random preparation you find online.

How to Prepare for a Medicine Summer Course

Start by following any programme-specific preparation supplied.

Beyond that, you might think about broad questions rather than trying to learn an entire medical curriculum.

For example:

How do doctors decide between treatments?

How is medical evidence evaluated?

What ethical questions arise in healthcare?

How does scientific research become clinical practice?

Questions like these can give you useful context without trying to teach yourself Medicine before arriving.

How to Prepare for a Business Summer Course

Look at the world around you.

Choose a business you find interesting.

Why do customers buy from it?

How does it make money?

Who are its competitors?

What could cause it to fail?

Business becomes much easier to discuss when you can connect ideas with real organisations.

Again, follow any preparation supplied by your actual tutor first.

How to Prepare for an Engineering Summer Course

Refresh relevant foundations from Mathematics or Science where appropriate to the course.

Then look at real engineering problems.

Why are bridges designed differently?

How do engineers balance performance, cost and safety?

What happens when a design fails?

The goal is not memorising equations without context.

It is developing curiosity about how technical knowledge is used to solve problems.

How to Prepare for a Creative Subject

Bring ideas.

Read or view work that interests you.

Think about what you like and why.

Creative study becomes much more useful when you can discuss your own preferences rather than simply saying:

“I like it.”

Ask yourself:

What makes this effective?

What would I change?

What feeling does it create?

How was that achieved?

These analytical habits can deepen creative work too.

What Parents Can Do Before Summer School

Parents can help without taking over the preparation.

Encourage students to complete their own reading.

Let them organise their own packing as much as appropriate for their age.

Ask what they are excited about.

Discuss what they will do if they feel homesick or need help.

Make sure they understand important travel arrangements.

The objective is for the student to begin taking responsibility while knowing support remains available.

What Parents Should Avoid Doing

Avoid turning summer preparation into another high-pressure academic exercise.

You do not need to quiz your child every night on their reading.

Do not make them believe they need to impress their tutor immediately.

And do not suggest that the summer has to produce a particular university or career outcome.

The programme should be an opportunity to explore.

Pressure can make students much less willing to experiment intellectually.

What Marit Wishes Students to Remember

Marit’s closing reflection is perhaps the most useful preparation advice of all.

Her two weeks passed quickly.

The part she found hardest was saying goodbye.

She remembers the experience and the friendships long after the course itself ended.

That does not mean every student will have exactly the same experience.

But it is a reminder to be present.

You can spend so much time worrying about preparation that you forget why you are preparing.

The objective is to arrive ready to take part.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Atlas Summer Courses

Do I need to study before my Atlas Summer Course?

Follow any preparation supplied for your specific programme. Marit strongly recommends completing assigned reading because she found it made academic work during her Law course easier.

Does every student receive a reading list?

Not necessarily. Marit notes that preparation depends on how the tutor structures the course.

Do I need to know everything before arriving?

No. The purpose of the programme is to learn.

Should I take notes from pre-course reading?

Yes. Marit recommends making notes and recording page numbers so useful information is easier to find later.

Do I need to know how to write an essay?

If essay writing may form part of your course and you have never done it before, learning the basics can be useful.

Should I research my subject before arriving?

A little introductory knowledge can help you engage more quickly with unfamiliar ideas, but you do not need to become an expert.

Should I research Oxford or Cambridge before arriving?

Yes, learning something about your destination can help you identify places you might be interested in seeing where your programme timetable and age-group rules allow.

Will I have free time?

Free-time arrangements depend on age and programme. Students should follow the rules supplied for their particular course.

Should I plan every hour before arriving?

No. Leave room for organised activities, programme commitments and spontaneous experiences with new friends.

Is Atlas Summer Courses part of Oxford University?

No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent education provider.

Is Atlas part of Cambridge University?

No. Atlas Summer Courses is also independent of the University of Cambridge.

Did Marit attend Oxford University?

No. Marit attended an Atlas Summer Courses Law programme in Oxford in 2019.

Marit’s Four Essential Tips

If you remember nothing else, Marit's original advice can be reduced to four simple principles.

1. Do the preparation your tutor sends you.

It will make unfamiliar topics easier to approach.

2. Learn the basics of academic writing if you need them.

You do not need perfection—just enough understanding to begin.

3. Build a little background knowledge.

That allows you to spend more time exploring deeper questions.

4. Research where you are going.

The academic programme matters, but so do the city, activities and people around you.

Those four steps provide a strong starting point for almost any academic summer programme.

Final Thoughts: How to Prepare for Your Summer Course

Preparing for summer school does not mean spending months trying to become an expert before you arrive.

Marit Schillinger’s experience on an Atlas Law programme in 2019 suggests something much more manageable.

Do your reading.

Take useful notes.

Understand the basics of academic writing.

Learn enough about your subject to begin asking questions.

Research your destination.

And then arrive ready to participate.

The most useful preparation is not knowing every answer.

It is being ready to learn.

You will meet unfamiliar people.

Encounter unfamiliar ideas.

Spend time in a different environment.

And perhaps discover interests you had not expected.

That uncertainty is part of the experience.

As Marit found, the programme can pass remarkably quickly once it begins.

So prepare enough to feel confident—but leave room for the unexpected.

Questions about your upcoming programme? Check out our FAQs or contact the Student Services team for current course and pre-arrival information.

Ready to Join Atlas Summer Courses?

If you are considering an Atlas Summer Courses programme, explore the subjects available for your age group and read the current course information carefully before applying.

Once accepted, complete any preparation supplied for your programme and use the pre-arrival resources available to you.

Apply now to begin your application.

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