Staying at Scape during the Christmas period

For various reasons, you might be staying at your student accommodation over the Christmas period rather than going home, perhaps due to travel difficulties caused by COVID. It’s understandable that you might feel a little anxious or just plain lonely this winter, especially if it’s your first time away from your family at Christmas. We’ve put together some ideas on how to look after yourself and celebrate during this time, so you can enjoy the festivities no matter where you are.

Organise a virtual celebration

Understandably, missing out on being at home for the holidays can be difficult, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy quality time and festive family traditions from wherever you are. Bring back the Zoom reunion and arrange a virtual celebration with your family to catch up and spend some quality time together. To spend time with friends, create a quiz on funny memories or use Teleparty to watch some festive film faves together.

Celebrate with your friends and flatmates at Scape

We hope that after spending a term with us at Scape, you’ll have made some great friends in the building. Celebrating and spending time with other students staying over the Christmas period is a great way to curb that loneliness and strengthen those friendships. Why not organise a Christmas dinner and party with your flatmates and friends? Just make sure you follow government guidelines on COVID and carry out a lateral flow test beforehand to make sure that you’re not infected.

Talk to your building managers about festive events

You could also speak to your building managers at Scape to organise some Christmas activities in your communal areas over the festive period; this could include a pub quiz, a Christmas movie marathon, or a Secret Santa event. Scape properties have lots of shared spaces that can be used, like the cinema rooms and study areas. This can also be a great way of meeting new people who live in the building who you may not have spoken to before!

Look after your mental health

During this holiday period, it’s really important to look after your mental health. While Christmas is fun, it can also feel a little lonely, especially if you’re missing your family. Remember to get all the sleep you need and stay active to keep your mood up – a crisp winter walk can work wonders. Make use of the Scape app and our staff – they’re all mental health first-aid trained and are more than happy to help you out or just to lend an ear if you’re feeling a little low. You can also talk to your university’s pastoral care services to make sure that you’re fully supported. If you need a chat, there’ll always be a friendly face at reception, so come down and see us!