I doubt I’m not the only one when I say this- I’m struggling to be in the holiday spirit.
With the promise of finals and research papers filling the campus air, my mind is focused on grades and the ever growing to-do list sitting on my desk. I want to be in the festive spirit, I want to be decorating the tree in my dorm while listening to holiday music, and I want to get under my soft, giant blanket and watch a movie nibbling on chocolate. But instead I am sitting at my desk, in my dorm, staring at my laptop.
The last few weeks can be a struggle to grind through as a student. You want to be anywhere but the classroom, which is normal. For those of us that have family living somewhere else, you may start to feel a need to be with them and go home. In California it finally got cold enough to wear jumpers and long dark nights bring an added sense that the holidays are near.
It can be hard to get into the holiday spirit when feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Every year I decorate my dorm, putting up a tiny tree and some things here and there but this year I haven’t got around to it yet, I’ve yet to fully immerse myself in the holiday spirit and it’s nearly half way through December. So I decided to come up with some ideas for you (and me) to start feel more festive during this stressful time.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
1. Organize Time With Your Friends
As a student, Christmas can be expensive, so why not do a Secret Santa with your friends. You can use this website, Elfster, to work it out! Organize an hour or so to spend together exchanging gifts and eating some food. Even during our busiest times of the year we still have to eat, so why not do it with the people you like best!
2. Treat Yourself!
If you have a favourite chocolate or holiday snack buy it for yourself to eat while you study. It will make the time you spend in the library or at your desk that little bit more enjoyable.
3. Put Up Some Decorations
Whether that is a baby tree, some lights, or a sign to let Santa know where to go. It’s amazing what a little bit of colour and decoration can do to lift your mood and help you feel more festive!
4. Go See Some Lights!
There are lots of places in LA that have extravagant holiday lights to see during the season. For example, Descanso Gardens, LA Zoo or Beverly Hills. Or if you don’t want to travel there look around the local neighbourhoods, there are many pretty roads you can walk along.
5. Get Organized!
Work out presents you want to get, things you want to do in the break and who you want to see! By thinking forward to the good times ahead, it will help motivate you during harder, exam time. It will also make you feel better knowing what presents, wrapping paper etc you want to get so you don’t have to do a last minute panic!
Ultimately just remember that the next few weeks will go by quickly, and soon you will be celebrating the holidays with family and friends! If you don’t feel in the holiday spirit yet, you’re not the only one but you will soon when the gloom of finals goes away.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash