Student blogs

In a school wide email announcing the reading writing retreat in October of last year (2025), a line stood out amongst the others in my eyes:

“One group of students told us that it was the third time that they participated [in the retreating and writing retreat]”.

They were talking about me.

Since that email in October of last year, I have probably attended another three times. Like well-oiled machines, my friends and I set timers to sign up for the coveted spots in these retreats and remind each other when it is time. What is it about this retreat that keeps my friends and I filled with anticipation? In this blog, I will precisely share what my favourite KI Univeristy Library event is and the reasons why I look forward to attending every time.

What is the reading and writing retreat?

The reading and writing retreat is one of the many events/workshops hosted by the KI university library currently running close to once-a-month during the afternoon. The name could be broken down into the two components: “reading and writing” and “retreat”.

The first portion describes the primary goal of the event – simply students should aim to read and write. However, how and what you read and write is entirely up to you. Perhaps you need to read a paper for a journal club assignment, or you need to work on a lab report or even write a piece for the digital ambassador student blog 😉 . Whatever you have related to reading or writing, you are welcome to do that at the event. Sometimes, dedicated workshops can be intimidating or limiting yet here at this event, I have the freedom to come with any piece of work on my to-do list.

Secondly, the word “retreat” describes the fact that this is a space and time carved out for your productivity. While this may not be a retreat in the sense of going into a reclusive mountain cabin, it is nonetheless a dedicated pocket of the universe for you to exercise your brain muscles.

Now that I have introduced the basics of this event, let me share with you the reasons that I love this event and will keep coming back!

1. Structured productivity and break format

Some of you might be familiar with the Pomodoro studying technique. While the times may differ, it has the simple principle of interval productivity sessions and breaks. Here at the retreat, we do 3 sessions of 50 mins of productivity and 20 mins of breaks.

If you already employ this in your regular routine, then this retreat is perfect for you because you can continue using that format at the retreat. However, if you either take breaks that are too long or find yourself drowning in long continuous hours of studying, then this is also the perfect place for you. You will be kept accountable here to take your breaks when its time and the quiet atmosphere of the productivity sessions reinforces focus. Additionally, at the beginning of the retreat, they will make you ask yourself, “What is your goal today?”, keeping you on track for the rest of the afternoon.

2. Fikas

Speaking of breaks, I also greedily attend the reading and writing retreat because of the amazing fika every time. There is always tea, and coffee ready to caffeinate my brain with sprinkles of candy, chocolate and fruit on the side. Each iteration of the event may offer different items, but you can be assured that the fika feels like a reward for your hard work in the past 50 minutes.

I also bring some pieces with me into the next productive session and I feel like a squirrel storing food for the winter: pockets full and bursting at its seams.

3. Shared space of productivity

Next, I love the reading and writing retreat because they allow me to be in this physical and mental space with others. Have you ever had those study hangouts where you and your friends are doing your own thing, enjoying the company even if you are not talking with each other? Maybe every 30 mins or so you guys have a chat and a laugh together, breaking the intensity just for a bit?

Well, this retreat embodies the paradoxical state of shared independent time. Perhaps, it is motivating to be around others who are productive or perhaps it is some form of healthy peer pressure. Additionally, once the mandated breaks begin, I can easily switch off the productivity mode and have a great time chomping down on the chocolate together with others.

4. The lovely team behind the reading and writing retreat

The final reason I keep coming back to the retreat is the Library team organizing the event. The members of this team are also the Writing instructors at the Library, so do check out the academic writing support website where you can even book independent sessions for writing advice and support. They are a lovely team who have always made the retreat a welcoming experience. Every iteration of the event they ask for feedback and socialize with the students during the fika.

This time around I got to speak to them more about the motivations behind this event and hope for the future of this retreat. One of the memorable quotes was shared by Anna Borgström when asked about why they started this event: “We wanted to bring students back to the library.” Müjde Nordling also described the retreat as this “moment of detoxification” and spoke about planning more themed retreats such as the recent Christmas and Valentine’s day themed retreats for the future.

Gabriella Ekman also shared other initiatives similar to the reading and writing retreat such as the KI read sessions (or KI läser tillsammans), a relaxing shared reading session at the library in the Flemingsberg campus, coupled with some cozy fika of course! Right now there are only two more sessions left in the semester but there seems to be plans to increase it to once a month in the future.

The Swedish writing instructors, Karl Gudmundsson Qureshi and Kristina Froelich, are also present to help with Swedish writing. Maybe as an international student you can strike up a conversation in some Swedish you are learning!

Final parting words

Overall, I really wanted to share a positive experience I have had as a student at KI. Outside of class and internships, the library is an additional resource or even a type of haven for me to either study or to have a relaxing time. If you wanna check out other types of events and workshops held by the library keep an eye out for the KI library calendar where you can sign up and see the schedule!