November in university is notoriously bleak. Halloween celebrations are over, Christmas is slightly too far away to let it be your source of joy, and exams are creeping closer and closer. Bad weather, bad lighting, and even worse… essay planning. If you’re falling into winter woe, you’re not alone. It is hard not to. Here are some small, low budget ways to lift your mood, take your eyes away from your laptop, and find the joy in the cold winter season, without doing something detrimental your bank account.
Host a movie night
There is something really calming and refreshing about dim lights, blankets, snacks and a good movie. I can guarantee someone in your house has a Netflix subscription, and if not, there are hundreds of movies available on YouTube. To romanticise the wind and the rain outside your window, really milk the autumnal vibes. Warm colours, nostalgia, romance. A £1 pack of microwave popcorn and a cup of tea. This one is basically free, you don’t need to tread into the harsh weather outside, and it is a lovely way to remind you that you are not the only one craving a break.
Find a new coffee shop
It is no lie that a coffee nowadays can be extortionate, but we all deserve a treat, especially after days on end of reading. When your room becomes too like A-Level peak revision, a change of scenery can work wonders. Whether it is to do work, to sit and chat with a friend, or even to sit in silence with your headphones on, being surrounded by other people can really help put things into perspective.
Have a themed night with your friends
It’s getting hard to plan a good night out when it’s dark by half four, and wearing a cute outfit without a warm coat and an umbrella is a definite no. Sometimes, all we need is a little excitement. Something to look forward to, an alternative to a night out. Bring a board night, baking or cooking together, board game night; these are all super cheap ways to bring some joy into the house, and a way of thinking of anything other than writing an essay for a few hours.
Go to a pub quiz
One of my personal favourites, a pub quiz is a perfect way to reset your brain. Sometimes, when you are drowning in revision and you feel like you know nothing, it is really reassuring to feel smart in other ways. Get your mind working in other ways than footnotes or coding. I would recommend, if a Tuesday night works for you, the 4-venue pub quiz at The Crown, Mother’s Ruin, The Colosseum and Greyhound: the winner takes the prize pot of all the pubs combined. They are cheap, you can go with one friend, as a big group, with your house, or even with your course mates. Make a stupid team name, get competitive, have a drink. Separate yourself completely from your work. And who knows, you might even win something.
