Written by Megan
Going home for Christmas during these uncertain times can be a daunting experience. There may be worries about seeing family members you haven’t seen in a long time, the effects that Covid-19 may have on usual Christmas traditions, or the risk of spreading the virus to family members and loved ones. This blog outlines some tips and tricks for dealing with these worries and how to make the most of going home for the Christmas period.
- Make sure you organise travel as soon as possible. Christmas is a busy period for everyone, so if you must travel on public transport, try and choose a day and time in which these won’t be as cramped. Avoiding rush hours and weekends may be the best way forward!
- Try to social distance as much as possible on the run up to leaving. This is mainly to minimise the chances of spreading the virus and keeping you and your loved ones safe! And if possible, take a Covid test a few days before just so you can be sure it is safe to travel.
- Do as much Christmas shopping online as you can. Again, this ties in with tips 1 and 2. Shops will be extremely busy at this time of year, making it difficult to maintain social distancing too. This makes Christmas shopping stressful even when we’re not in a pandemic. Online shops usually have more choice too, whilst also potentially supporting some smaller businesses who may be in need of the custom at these uncertain times. If you can get these delivered to the place where you will be spending the Christmas period, this can also save having bags of things to take on public transport with you! #LifeHacks.
- Make sure your university accommodation is ready for when you return so you don’t have to worry about coming back to it! As much as everyone hates cleaning, coming home to a tidy and clean house will make those post-Christmas blues that little bit easier. Even if it seems sad, put the decorations away and clean up all the glitter and fake snow so it doesn’t need to be done in January when you get home.
- Get as much work as possible done before you leave. This will make relaxing and spending time wit family a lot more enjoyable. You will have chance to chill out and watch some Christmas films with loved ones without stressing about that assignment that is due the first week back at uni. Take some time to yourself and do things that you enjoy! Have a well-deserved break.
- Finally, don’t forget to have fun! 2020 has been a strange year for all, so try to enjoy Christmas as much as you possibly can. Tweak traditions so they are still possible instead of writing them off completely, make new traditions for future years, and make some good memories for the end of 2020.
Here at the Career Studio, we would like to wish all our students the happiest of holidays and best wishes for the new year! We can’t wait to see you all in 2021.
To speak to one of our Career Coaches get in touch:
Email: careers@staffs.ac.uk
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Career Chat: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/careers/careers-studio/chat-to-our-careers-coaches