Winter is wonderful, but also the hardest season on students

December in London is truly the most wonderful time of the year with dazzling Christmas lights and displays. Yet, it is also the hardest season to get through as a student.

Recollecting my personal experiences last year, I lost track of time, struggled to revise for my exams, and I was constantly tired without doing anything. I was upset with myself for not being productive and even more disappointed in myself that I did not spend time with my friends or take proper care of my health. However, I realised that things do not always have to be like this.

Down below, I have listed practical tips any student (including you!) can seamlessly integrate into their daily routine. Choose your fighter and get ready for combat.

1.      Start your day EARLY

Starting your day at 7 o'clock in the morning sounds un-doable but trust me it is very DO-ABLE if you sleep by 11pm. Bonus point: you get to wrap up your day early at 3pm, which is roughly the same time the sky gets dark, and the sun disappears. Luckily, the majority of students are not chained to the traditional 9 to 5 work hours. Take advantage of this flexibility while you can!

2.      SUNLIGHT is precious

The sun makes super rare cameos in this very boring winter film. Since it is a spectacle to see, go out for a walk and appreciate this bright yellow star. Queen Mary Mile End Campus offers a canal side and is conveniently located near Mile End and Victoria Parks. I personally prefer Victoria Park as it has a market every Sunday.  

3.      Clean your SPACE

The space you live in largely dictates your mood, and this matter is often overlooked. A messy room can be overwhelming to stay in, and piling dirty dishes prevent you from eating healthy. But, be careful when cleaning. Do not dedicate hours cleaning, instead set a 30-minute timer to clean things, which you find the most annoying and inconvenient. Once the time’s up, start revising for your exams. If you really need to continue cleaning, do it after 3pm, when your study day ends. 

4.      MOVE

It is great if you can hit the gym, run, jog, do pilates or basically anything that keeps your body moving. It is extremely important to stay active when the weather makes you feel sluggish. Also, remember to hydrate!

5.      Eat HEALTHY

It is quite instinctive to eat more sugar and carbs as students juggling social life and academics. Also, feeling the urge to consume more sugary snacks worsens winter blues. So, make sure to prepare proper well-balanced meals without ditching any nutritional groups. Try to incorporate fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and rice or any main source of carbohydrates you prefer.

6.      REVISE NOT MEMORISE

Revision during Christmas is daunting. When others are enjoying Christmas and the New Year, you are clueless on what to do due to your impending exams in January. I felt extremely guilty last year for everyday I struggled with revision. I should not have been too hard on myself as it only worsened my winter blues. Instead, try to sort and group lectures based on their similarities to get a holistic overview of the topics. Then, deep dive on specific areas to solidify your understanding. This worked for me personally, but others might prefer to study in a different way.

I hope everyone emerges as a victor by adopting these strategies! Winter blues will have been driven out of our bodies by now 💪

If you still need help, Queen Mary offers advice and counselling services to support every student.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good luck with your exams in January!