Keeping safe in winter
The darker nights during winter months can increase the risks associated with personal safety when out and about, whether that’s on foot, bike, public transport, or taxi. And at this time of year, socialising in the evenings, will inevitably result in you being out after dark. If you choose to combine socialising with alcohol, it’s a good idea to be extra alert to these increased risks and take steps to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Whatever the reason you find yourself out in the dark, a few simple tips can make all the difference to your safety:
- Be alert to your surroundings. Do not walk whilst chatting on your mobile phone or with earphones in.
- Stick to well-lit and well-used areas. Do not take short cuts through dark and remote alleyways, parks or wasteland.
- If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest place where there are other people and call the police while on your way there (all College Porters’ Lodges are open to all Cambridge students!)
- If you ride a bike, make sure you have some lights and that they work!
- Some of the paths in Cambridge are poorly lit, you might want to consider using a clip-on light for your bag or coat so that you can see better, and people can see you!
- If you have concerns about a group of people or a particular situation, keep away and find a well-lit, busier area.
- Let friends and family know where you are and what time you will be expected.
- Walk with a friend or in a group where possible.
- Make sure your location settings, on your mobile phone, are switched on.
Managing workload
We know that this is a time when workload can build up and the end of term can seem very close, maybe too close! Nearly all students fall behind with work at some point – it’s quite normal so don’t panic!
As soon as you realise this could be the case, ask for some support or seek out information and tools for yourself. There are many sources of support here at Cambridge, these include:
If you do fall behind, take time to:
- review your key deadlines.
- review your commitments and plan how you might meet those deadlines.
- consider where you can compromise and identify what’s preventing you from keeping on top of study.
There are lots of good study support material and ideas online, including practical tips on time management and procrastination (see Resources). Some people find it helpful to enlist the help of friends, in sharing what works for them and forming study buddy groups.
Once you’re back on track, it can sometimes be difficult to stay motivated if you don’t have a clear sense of purpose or direction. If you feel like your motivation is slipping, try taking a step back and remind yourself of why you’re pursuing your degree in the first place. It can be helpful to identify the end goal of your education. For example, maybe you wanted to increase your earning potential so that you could travel the world or support your family. Maybe you wanted to learn skills that you could use to serve others and change the world for the better. Maybe you simply wanted to challenge yourself.
No matter what your vision might be, keeping sight of the bigger picture can help maintain the motivation to push through challenging periods.
The University Counselling Service (UCS) also run Workshops on Time Well Spent and Understanding and Managing Procrastination which you might find helpful.
You can also find links to Study Skills Resources on our blog post which can be access via the College website on the Wellbeing Team webpage How to catch up if you need to and maintaining motivation – Trinity Hall Cambridge
And remember, if you are experiencing any difficulties that are impacting on your Wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing wellbeing@trinhall.cam.ac.uk
