Staying at uni over Christmas? Here’s how to make the most of it

14 December 2020By Rob Slade, Staff writer at Unite Students
Photo of Christmas decorations

It seems like everyone is talking about going home for Christmas, however this might not be the case for some people. Spending Christmas alone could be a well-deserved break for some, or the worst-case scenario for others.

Whether you’re living far from relatives, or aren't able to return home this year, there are a number of reasons why you might be feeling lonely at what is (supposed to be) an exciting and festive time of year.

Let me reassure you by saying that at every university you’ll find people that are sticking around for the holidays and, although it might be a daunting thought, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

How you can make the most of it

So how do you deal with the exodus of your fellow students at Christmas time, and what do you do while they’re all gone? Here are a few ideas that’ll give you plenty to think about.

Binge on a new TV show

In the same way that it’s great getting stuck into a new book, there’s nothing quite like getting hooked on a new programme, with the end of each episode leaving you desperate for more. Guess what? With a flat to yourself you can watch episode after episode if you want. Just don’t forget to eat.

Treat yourself

Photo of books and magazines

Unless someone you know is also spending the holidays at uni, you’re probably going to have some time to yourself. The good news is that this means you can do whatever you want to do, when you want to do it.

Order a few books or films that you’ve had on your list for a while and dedicate a day or two to get through them. I often find that when I get wrapped up in a book I just can’t put it down, so it’s sometimes great to actually disappear into that fictional world for an hour or two.

Learn to cook

If you’ve been surviving on microwave meals and frozen food, now is the perfect opportunity to morph into a younger (and probably better looking) version of Gordon Ramsay. With the entire kitchen to yourself, you can be as messy or take as long as you want. Plus, you don’t have to navigate the mess that you’d normally find in a shared kitchen.

Heck, why not treat yourself to a three course meal, complete with homemade starter and dessert? Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started.

Seek out other students

It might seem like you’re going to be alone at uni throughout the holidays, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There’ll be other students hanging around too, you’ve just got to find them.

Start by speaking to your course mates. If you have no luck finding any there, try speaking to your students’ union or the reception team in your halls, as they might know about other students that aren’t heading home for Christmas or be running an event themselves.

Of course, you could also take to social media and ask in any university groups, which are great for reaching a larger number of people.

Skype friends or family at home

Girl speaking to someone on the laptop

Just because you’re not at home over Christmas, it doesn’t mean you can’t join in with everyone. When I’ve stayed at uni over the holidays, I’ve used FaceTime or Skype to join friends at gatherings. While it wasn’t quite the same as being there, it was still fun to be involved and see some friendly faces.

Invest in yourself

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but never really had the time? Now’s your chance to start learning a new language, take up yoga or increase your fitness. This way, you’ll feel as if you’ve been productive with your time, which always makes you feel better at the end of a day. Bonne chance (it means good luck in French)!

Get a head start on uni work

If you’ve got a lot of spare time over a week or two, it makes sense to use it wisely. Dedicate a couple of hours each day to getting some work done and by the time term comes around you’ll be well ahead.

This is especially useful if you have deadlines or exams in January and February, as it’ll take some of the stress off for the month ahead. Plus, it’ll give you more free time through January so you can catch up with the rest of your friends when they’re back at uni.

Spend some time at a café

Photo of inside a cafe

It’s easy to spend a lot of time in your flat over the holidays, especially when you don’t know many people left in the city. But it’s worth getting out and mixing with others. One way to do that is head to a café with a book or magazine. Grab a drink, read something interesting and see if you can start up a conversation with people around you.

What to do if you're struggling

Even if you do all the things listed above, you might still be struggling with having to spend Christmas alone. Here's what to do if you find yourself in that situation:

Admit how you feel & don't be scared to open up

Woman talking on phone

There’s no shame in feeling lonely and, if you take the time to admit it to yourself and open up to those around you, it will be far easier to put a plan into action for coping with it. For example, if someone asks how you’re doing, rather than giving a generic answer, tell them that you’re struggling. They may have just the advice or words of comfort you need.

So, whether it's opening up to a friend over a cup of coffee or calling your mum and tell her how you feel. It could mean the difference between wallowing in misery or looking at your situation with a whole new perspective. Whilst you won’t be the only one feeling this way, remember your feelings are valid and you’re entitled to feel however you want to.

Make a plan

If you can feel yourself getting more worked up and stressed about being on your own or with limited company on the approach to Christmas Day, make a plan. This strange Christmas doesn’t have to be boring, so pull together a schedule of activities to keep you entertained. Our top ideas? Christmas baking or crafting, a festive Netflix binge, and a walk or run around your local park.

If you can, book in some video calls with your family and friends to play festive quizzes and scavenger hunts, or even eat dinner together. It might not feel quite the same as in person, but at least you can still be a part of their festivities and share some festive cheer.

Avoid social media

Somebody holding a phone

When it comes to the big day, it's likely that lots of people will be sharing their day on social media. Try to remember that not everyone will be having the perfect Christmas, no matter what Instagram tells you. So why not step away from the social media and give yourself a break from the noise?

You’ll probably enjoy the peace that comes with not picking up your phone every five minutes, and it could even give you that time to read the book you’ve been planning to finish for months.

Whatever you end up doing over the holidays, try to make the most of it. It’s not often that you’ll have a week or two to yourself. And remember, the reception team in your halls are always happy to talk if you want a little bit of company. Happy holidays!

Get help anonymously

Sometimes, you can make a plan and speak to your family and still feel pretty low. Or maybe you’re just not comfortable with sharing your feelings with someone you know.

The good news is that there are places you can get support, even on Christmas Day. So, don’t lose yourself in the rabbit hole of loneliness. We outline some of the resources available to you in this article. Otherwise, feel free to give these guys a call:

  • Student Space: Get free, confidential support via phone, text, webchat or email. Find out more here

  • Samaritans: Talk anonymously about anything that is upsetting you by calling Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.

  • Shout: If you’d rather not speak on the phone to someone, text SHOUT to 85258 for support via text message.

  • C.A.L.M: Available from 5pm-12am, 365 days a year, chat to someone on the phone by calling 0800 58 58 58 or get in touch via webchat.

Blog author Rob Slade
By Rob SladeStaff writer at Unite Students