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Getting In The Holiday Mood As A College Student

Claire Smieszny Student Contributor, Boston University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

As college students are deep into the semester and approaching finals week, it can be hard to feel festive and celebrate. To brighten your mood and stay motivated, think about what lies ahead after the semester is over.

The holidays, especially Christmas time, are my favorite time of year! Here are some ways I’ve managed to get myself in the mood despite the school stress.

Get A Tree For Your Room

Obviously, it’s not feasible to haul an eight-foot-tall Fraser Fir into a dorm room or apartment, but I find even having a small fake tree with some lights is an easy way to spruce up your place a little bit and help you feel festive!

Amazon, Target, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls all have some good options that won’t break the bank.

Themed Study Night With Friends

One of the hardest parts about this time of year is that schoolwork ramps up towards the end of the semester. This makes finding time for yourself hard, and even harder to see your friends. 

By planning a themed study night with friends, you can hang out and get in the spirit together while still completing schoolwork. Make some cookies or hot chocolate, throw on a Christmas movie or playlist, and enjoy some time spent together! 

Attend A Light Show

During such stressful times, we all need an escape. There are local light shows everywhere, which is the perfect way to enjoy a winter night and take your mind off all the work to be done for a bit. 

For me, seeing light shows — whether at a garden center or a neighborhood — with my family is one of my favorite memories. Going to one helps me reconnect with that same love of Christmas that I had as a kid. 

Make A Wishlist

A wishlist is by far the easiest option, but it’s definitely one of the most important! Every year, I love sitting down and putting together my wishlist. The items have changed a lot over the years, but it’s still nice to take a moment for myself, look inward, and figure out what I want.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s relaxing. This year, I’m asking for pajama sets, candles, and a new yoga mat, just in case you need any inspiration. 

Finding time for yourself can be really difficult, especially as your academic demands grow throughout the semester. Getting in the Christmas spirit definitely helps me stay lighter as things get more stressful.

Hopefully, these tips can help lift your spirits, too!

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Senior studying Public Relations in the College of Communication and interested in a career in sports media and communications. Also enjoys movies, reading both fiction and nonfiction, and yoga.