Christmas is a magical time in the year when friends and family alike look out for each other, spreading joy and happiness wherever they go. However, for the average university student, this is a time to escape from the ever present dark hole of stress- deadlines. It also gives them a chance to save their slowly dwindling funds for a few weeks as their kind and ever loving family offers to pay for every minute expense.
For me, it was the chance to see my old friends from East Grinstead after going our separate ways when A-levels finally became but a fading memory of joy. Of course, I love being at the University of Portsmouth and all the incredible friends I have made in the last few months but there is a nostalgic feeling of being a kid again whenever I get to ask my friends- “hey wanna hang out”? And then I was walking distance instead of a three hour train journey that always feels like an endless cycle of torture that goes back and forth between my two homes.
I think being a student for what felt like a year of stress and learning instead of a few fleeting months made me recognize everything that I missed about being home. However, being home made me realize all the advantages and freedoms that the independent life of a student can bring you. For one, you are living with your family. The problem with that is the sudden increase of housework. After a few months of doing it on your own terms the lessened freedom feels jaring.
I digress, back to the topic at hand. Christmas. One truth about this time of the year is the older you are, the less magic you feel, and instead feel the icy cold grip of debt as you struggle to get gifts that your loved ones desire. I didn’t think that I would already be at that point after a few months of being an independent adult, but Christmas this year felt shockingly underwhelming. I got new clothes and a great amount of food over the big day but I didn’t feel the same kind of joy and excitement that usually comes with the warming holiday. Perhaps it was the pressure of being a student as well as all the covid scares. But one thing I can take away from being home for Christmas is a new appreciation for being back in East Grinstead again.
Thank you for reading, I know that this was melancholic but I hope you enjoyed it at least. It would be great to hear how your Christmas was this year; comment down below the post, and I’ll do my best to answer.
James Flambard's Student Experiences 