Beating the winter blues: A guide to romanticising campus during winter

Most people would agree that the consistent greyness of the sky has been affecting everyone’s mood at the start of the second term. However, just because there is a rare sighting of the sun, that does not mean that your days have to be full of gloom as well. If you feel ready to shift your mindset around the cold winter days, here are some tips to romanticise campus during the winter.

Make your room a homely environment to come back to after a long day, so it feels enjoyable and secure

It can be easy to want to hide in your room and avoid stepping outside at all costs, whether during the week or on a day off. Whilst this instinct is understandable and can be hard to overcome, there are a few things you can incorporate into your day to feel more positive during these gloomy days.

Having a good routine seems like a generic tip, but it really can help during dark mornings. Use the dark, rainy weather to your advantage and create a cosy atmosphere in your room. Making an effort to start your day positively can really change your perspective on the rest of the day.

Waking up early can allow you time to relax and befriend the weather, instead of waking up late and having to leave your bed immediately and therefore feeling frustrated and resentful towards the day. If you wake up early, you can have a slow morning, have a hot drink in your bed and mentally prepare yourself for the day. Similarly, having a leisurely evening and night routine can equally increase your mood after walking in the cold all day.

Make your room a homely environment to come back to after a long day, so it feels enjoyable and secure. Coming home to a warm space is one thing, but having a comforting dinner can also romanticise your evenings. For example, tins of soup are affordable and homely meals, as well as being easy to make; adding a crusty bread roll to this is also a great addition. These are ideal, small things to incorporate

A keyway to romanticise winter is to not feel disheartened by the rainy weather soaking through your clothes into your days, which can make the winter days feel less defeating.

With the temperature and weather being persistently unpredictable, choosing an outfit can be a tedious task, so what are the best clothes you can wear during winter to feel cosy and make your day feel slightly more comfortable?

A key way to romanticise winter is to not feel disheartened by the rainy weather soaking through your clothes. Whilst this can be hard to change, there are some wardrobe tips and tricks to apply to your day-to-day outfits to make sitting in your lectures more pleasant after walking in the rain.

One downside to wearing jeans is how the cuffs get soaked by puddles. To avoid this cold and uncomfortable situation, wearing tights or leggings underneath your jeans is an ideal choice. This makes sure that your legs do not feel cold, and it will make you feel much better, even if your jeans are completely soaked by the end of the day.

Other clothing options that can keep you warm are gloves and hats. Not only are they functional, but they can also add colour to an outfit. On New Look’s website, gloves are currently 50% off, so this would be a really good investment for the remainder of winter, as well as for next year.

There are other little things that can boost your mood this winter, such as bringing a coffee to your lectures, watching seasonal movies and tv shows, and finding a cosy study spot on campus. A lovely area on campus to study is in the Warwick Arts Centre above the Benugo Bar & Kitchen. It is a lovely area to study or to relax with your friends.

Even though there are some parts of winter that can make you feel downhearted, these tips can hopefully bring you some joy to your days this winter.