By Kia Luhur, Second Year, Ancient History
Christmas, a season meant to be full of joy, family gatherings, and celebration with friends. Yet for some students, this time of year can feel rather isolating. Many find themselves staying back at university, rushing to finish coursework, preparing for resits, or catching up on deadlines while everyone else returns home. It can be lonely when your friends are away, and social media is flooded with pictures of others celebrating with their loved ones. The feeling of missing out, or FOMO, can hit hard.
Speaking from personal experience, I can say that it can be daunting not going back when you miss your family and friends from home. However, what I’ve learned is that choosing to spend Christmas with friends, or simply exploring new places, can make a world of difference. Instead of staying alone in Bristol, I decided to travel across the UK visiting cousins and friends scattered around the country. It turned out to be far better than I expected. Sure, there were days when the regret of not going home crept in, but overall, it was worth it.
Making new memories with people you don’t usually get to see during the busy university term is refreshing and can help with the FOMO feeling. I went to places like Blackpool, London, and Edinburgh over winter, all cold but warm in their own way. In comparison, staying in the ‘golden prison’ that was Bangkok, while still a lovely city, felt more confining. As a third culture kid, I’ve found that being in the UK during the holidays offers a different kind of warmth, where people back home would not understand the more Western ideas I have, those here understand them much better. Being neurodivergent also helps; trust me, the number of autistic people I bond with in the UK compared to back home is substantial.
The Christmas markets across the UK are particularly lovely. Even before Christmas Day, I had the opportunity to visit several university friends across different cities. One of my highlights was my trip to Manchester to spend Christmas with my long-term partner; it was a simple yet memorable experience. The main point is that there’s so much to do around the UK during this season. If you have a partner, spend time with them, whether relaxing at home, exploring a new city, or attending festive events, it can make the holidays feel much more special.
Moreover, if you are an international student, you more often than not just travel to Europe and go on a month of exploring either one city or different cities. Kirem, an international student, chose to travel across Europe with their friends, telling me it was a lovely escape to Germany, spending a month enjoying the sights and views with their friends. It helped them feel less lonely that time of year.
‘You just have to find joy in the smallest moments, regardless of how lonely it can feel.’
However, if you’re staying in Bristol, and perhaps your friends are too busy or away, there are still plenty of things you can do alone. Going for a hike, exploring nearby nature spots, or even meeting new people through apps can help ease the loneliness. Cheddar Gorge, for instance, is absolutely stunning during December, with crisp air, scenic views, and a perfect place for quiet reflection. The Bristol Christmas markets can also be enjoyable even if you go alone; sometimes, solitude allows you to soak in the festive atmosphere in a way that groups can’t.
If you prefer staying closer to the city, Ashton Court Estate offers beautiful winter walks. If luck is shining, then maybe snow might even pop up, and you can even spot the deer that roam the park. Spending time in nature can be relaxing and peaceful, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert. Nature over the winter is an escape from the hustle and bustle of university life.
Romina Treviño
Maya Tailor
For those staying behind for work, the experience can actually be quite fulfilling. Take, for example, Doruk, a second-year engineering student who chose to work at a local café over the holidays. When I asked him whether he ever felt lonely, he simply laughed and said that working during Christmas helped him meet new people and experience a different side of Bristol. For him, going back would be nice, but staying meant meeting new people and broadening your views with those interactions. You just have to find joy in the smallest moments, regardless of how lonely it can feel.
Overall, staying in Bristol over Christmas does not mean being lonely. Whether you travel, spend time with friends, work, or just want some time to yourself, the experience has meaning. Sometimes moving away from the usual beat of the drum, even if it can be daunting, allows one to make new memories and even appreciate the finer things in life. It helps you realise that home is not home because you were born there; home is with the people you truly care about, and sometimes they are the ones right here in Bristol.
Featured Image: Epigram / Anna Dodd
Are you staying in Bristol over the holiday season?
