By Emily MacLean, Second Year, English
January is often pictured as a fresh beginning– an appealing shedding of the past for an improved self. Yet, as the vivid sparks of New Year’s fireworks fade into cold and early darkness, many students are left with a sinking feeling of stagnation. Why is January burdened with such expectation, and what can be done to adjust to the remaining winter months?
Part of the reason why the pressure to succeed in January is intense is due to modern self-improvement culture and marketing. January is when gym memberships surge, wellness challenges dominate social media, and movements such as Dry January and Veganuary encourage radical lifestyle shifts. The message is pervasive: wipe the slate clean and rebuild yourself from scratch.
While appealing in theory, these expectations are rarely attainable. For students January brings increased financial and academic pressures, shorter days, and colder weather; fatigue and lethargy are natural responses. The intrusion of these realities can create a sense of failure before the year has even begun.
Many students are left disillusioned. This is often captured by the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ (regarded as the most depressing day of the year). Although originating as a marketing campaign and widely disputed by scientists, ‘Blue Monday’ seems to resonate with students who are susceptible to imposter syndrome, the belief that you don’t deserve your achievements. This fear of inadequacy can be heightened by the return of deadlines, exam results, and academic comparison after the Christmas holidays. January risks becoming yet another test for comparison.
A tendency to more humane resolutions can combat this. Working with the season: setting up fairy lights, daylight lamps, or lighting a scented candle while studying may seem modest, but these small acts are mood-boosting ways to divert from self-criticism. Gentle activities such as walking, journaling, or creating a mood board for the new term invite adjustment and meaningful change.
Mental health support is particularly important to notice in this period. Epigram contacted TalkCampus, an online platform that provides peer-to-peer support for those in higher education. The organisation emphasised the need to ease, rather than intensify, pressure:
'Do what brings you comfort and allow yourself to ease into the year at your own pace. Connecting with others can make a huge difference, so talk to friends, family, and tutors.'
'Sharing how you feel can lighten the load.'
Connection can offer a more sustainable focus. Joining a book club, having a cozy movie night with friends, or attending one of the Students’ Union’s Give It A Go events can provide warmth without the expectation of metamorphosis. TalkCampus also said to be mindful if you find social media triggering and emphasised the importance of spending time in natural light and fresh air. Take the time to explore on-campus gardens - for example, doing the self-guided walking tour round Royal Fort Gardens - or simply moving between study locations throughout the day to enjoy more fresh air. Meaningful change is the aim, and encountering new perspectives through shared experience may be more transformative than rigid resolutions.
Bristol itself offers spaces for reflection beyond the academic calendar, providing opportunities for profound personal learning and enrichment. Arnolfini’s current exhibition, ‘Everything is Energy’, by Emma Talbot, shows the importance of fluidity and connection across time, space, and discipline, a reminder that growth is accumulative, not abrupt. Similarly, the Royal West Academy's free exhibition, ‘Down to Earth’, encourages new ways of relating to, rather than reconstructing, the world.
Emily MacLean
Mary Greenwood
Not everyone resents January. Some people thrive on structure and setting goals, finding comfort in lists and plans after the lack of routine in the holidays. Equally, it is okay if January feels blue or muted rather than an explosion of joy. In nature, many creatures hibernate during this season; rest is part of life’s rhythm. January may be a period of reflection and conservation, planting the seeds for growth rather than demanding immediate bloom- and transformation begins from acknowledging that that is enough.
Featured image: Epigram / Hannah Corcoran
What will you do to adjust to the New Year?
