Student blog

By Albie Sharman, Albie is a Residential Life Connector for Lewes Court and studying for a MEng in Mechanical Engineering with Robotics

The winter break can feel lonely for some students staying in campus accommodation while friends and flatmates head home. But you are not alone, many students stay on campus over the holidays. Here are my top tips for looking after yourself and making the most of the time.Use the Space

Shared accommodation can make it harder to fully enjoy certain activities. When you have the flat to yourself, it is a great opportunity to take on something bigger, such as an ambitious baking project.

Being by yourself in the flat means that another flatmate won't need to start cooking their dinner, allowing you to finish undisturbed. This additional privacy and space mean you can kick back and relax with more freedom, so consider putting on some good music, taking your time, and enjoying the calm. Having a space that isn't just your bedroom can feel rather freeing, and it can help you feel more comfortable in the communal spaces when everyone gets back too.

Additionally, once you've finished, you can enjoy the treat you've made, and you can also share any extras with other flats. Excess cake is a great excuse to knock on a neighbour’s door or arrange to meet up with a friend!

A lovely festive recipe to try is gingerbread, but a premade bread mix is also a hearty option that can be used in dinners, such as with a stew.

ResLife Activities and University Events

Over the winter break, Res Life continue to host events, providing an opportunity to attend fun and relaxed activities whilst spending time with other residents (and our fantastic team!) I personally enjoy the ResLife Lounge for the calm environment, and I also enjoy our games events, especially the board games. These are a great way of meeting other people when you are staying on campus. I always find playing games gives you something to talk about and helps break the ice.

Along with Res Life events, the university hosts other events that you can participate in throughout the winter break. These events can provide an opportunity to take a break and try something different from the norm.

You can keep up to date with our events on our Instagram here , and you can also book onto our events on TicketTailor here .

Go to Brighton

Often during the winter break, I enjoy visiting Brighton and taking part in the Christmas activities, such as the Brighton Christmas fair and market. It's filled with delicious foods and products, and has that cosy atmosphere that makes comfort food taste even more comforting. You can go ice-skating in front of the Brighton Pavilion, which is also really pretty – if you can stay upright long enough to enjoy it!

If you’ve not explored Brighton much since coming to Sussex, now could be the time.

You can find Brighton Christmas events here!

Touch (frosty) Grass

There are plenty of walks around Stanmer Park, including cycle friendly trails, with beautiful views in winter sunshine.Try the boundary walk around campus, which allows you to discover new sights on the grounds and also ensures you can return home for a nice warm drink afterwards. Also, being out and about provides another opportunity to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and meet other people as you see the beautiful sights on campus. It can be tempting to hibernate in your room but getting out and about in spite of the cold weather can do wonders for your wellbeing.

Find the Boundary Walk route guide here.

Staying on campus over winter has the potential to be really entertaining, and Brighton is full of small treasures to find. However, if you are feeling lonely on campus, come and speak to one of the Connectors about it at a Res Life Lounge.

We hope you have a restful and enjoyable winter break.

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