Thursday 14-12-2017 - 11:28

The run up to Christmas is filled with excitement and events, glitter and flashing lights! But, for some of us, who knows what the holidays will bring? Exams, ‘family time’ and Christmas can put a pressure on the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. We hope this blog gives you some top tips for making sure you have a healthy and happy Christmas break!

Exam period unfortunately follows our three-week holiday. By the time we’ve recovered from the end of term, Christmas commitments are upon us and why should we work, because it is Christmas after all?! The main thing is to allow yourself a break! Perhaps catch up on a lecture (or 4) that you missed, start reading for an essay or write-up a few seminar notes but nothing too taxing. Give yourself a week of catching up on sleep, recovering from the term-long ‘freshers flu’ and letting your brain rest. If you celebrate Christmas, make a list of the things you want done before Christmas and a full plan for the weeks after Christmas, so you can celebrate on the days themselves. Any plan should also include things you WANT to do too; a party, watching a film, or even visiting a different city…

Christmas also has this expectation of ‘family time’, which can put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on the festive season for many. If family time is challenging, remember that the independence you get at university will return, and make sure you prioritise linking up with friends, by either organising calls, or meeting up in person! It is crucial that you organise your time in the holiday in a way that works for YOU.

If you’re staying in Bristol over Christmas, make sure to explore this beautiful city outside of term time. The market by the harbour, the Christmas steps area and Clifton village are all wonderful areas to feel part of the Christmas community. Why don’t you ask around to see who else is staying in Bristol because you might well find more people you know in the city than you would have otherwise realised.

A reminder that we have our JustAsk service open throughout the exam period to help with the everyday (and not-so-every day) issues or problems you might face as a student.

Abigail Jessop,

Chair of the Wellbeing Network