Congrats on finishing your first term! Hopefully you feel somewhat settled here at BIMM, and have gotten to know the city. As we head into the new year, I’ve got a some tips to help you enjoy your Christmas break as much as possible.
Take a well earned break
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rest and enjoy the festivities! The lead up to Christmas can be a bit busy or stressful, particularly if you have to work over the Christmas period. Don’t be afraid to take a step back and just relax! If you’re fortunate enough to spend time with loved ones, don’t feel pressure to be doing something everyday. Time off is very important.
It’s easy to get caught up in plans and not actually taking any time to relax. The last thing you want is for the Christmas break to finish leaving you feeling like you need another break. Let yourself enjoy a rest so you can put your best foot forward in the new year.
Spend time with family and friends
Leading on from my previous point, make sure you get to spend good time with people close to you. Whether you’ve got the full Christmas break or only a few days off, make plans to just be with loved ones. First term can be very overwhelming, I always found Christmas break to be really refreshing whilst getting a change of pace.
If you’ve got to work away from where you normally spend Christmas, reach out to people that are in the same position (you are not the only one) and make plans with them. FOMO can set in if you see family and friends enjoying themselves whilst you’re working, so ensure you’ve got your own plans to look forward to.
Get involved in some festive activities
The Christmas period can quickly become expensive, particularly if you’ve got presents to buy! You don’t have to spend lots of money to feel festive. Find a Christmas market nearby to wander round or plan a Christmas movie night.
A great way of celebrating Christmas on a budget is a group meal, whether you all chip in and cook or go out for food, it’s more about spending time together. During my first year, we went to spoons for a festive meal and it was great. You really don’t have to spend lots of money to have a good time. Even if you’re not a big fan of Christmas, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the end of your first term and blow off some steam.
Get your work done
I know it sounds boring! However, it’s a horrible feeling when you’re trying to enjoy yourself but there’s a niggle in the back of your mind (ie knowing you’ve got work to do!). If you have assignments or work due for after the Christmas break, put aside time where you know you can take care of it. Having a plan in place will help you enjoy your down-time more. You also won’t be hit with a tonne of work to do when the break is over, which is always a bonus! Every time you do some work, any worries will be reduced. Even if you just put a morning aside to plan your assignments, your future self will thank you!
Be nice to yourself
Remember, this is a break in all aspects. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s easy to feel like you have to be enjoying yourself the entire festive period. But in reality, it can be a bit of a whirlwind. It’s perfectly okay to not like the festive period.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself first. If you feel you want some time to do nothing, go ahead! Or if you like to get involved with all things Christmas, do what makes you happy. Just try and keep your workload balanced and take some time to pamper yourself going into the new year.
