The ultimate bucket list for semester one in York

Are you stuck on how to make your semester one as fun as possible? Trying to avoid the seasonal sadness this year? Well look no further, I am here to help! From the fun times to the academically gruelling ones, here’s how to get the most out of your next few months in York!

York Minster Lightshow

Are you interested in history? No? How about watching pretty light projections with your besties and a hot chocolate? How could you say no? From October 19th through to November 2nd you have the chance to do this! For £7.50 you can be immersed in the retelling of the 1984 York Minster fire, from the burning down to the will to rebuild, this story of resilience is sure to move you and make you feel warm on a chilly autumnal night. However, if history isn’t for you at least you still get to see some cool lights!

Ghost walk/Ghost shop

Spooky season is here! What better way to immerse yourself into the festivities than to take an eery walk around a dark and gloomy York that may affect your ability to sleep peacefully for the next few days. However… if you’re a bit of a sensitive soul like myself and this is your idea of a nightmare because you’re scared of the dark… and ghosts, may I interest you in a cute little ghost figurine that holds up all year round?

Walk down The Shambles without crying from overstimulation

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If you can do this then I’m envious of you as this one is likely impossible for me… but an anxious girl can dream! I would love to be able to take in the aestheticism, history and wonder that encaspulates this ancient road and enjoy every moment of it, but every bucket list has that one bullet point that will never happen…

Take more cafe trips with friends

Work/life balance is so important when it comes to university life and this is something I’ve certainly struggled with in the past. To combat any academic breakdowns or burnouts from never giving myself a break, it is my main goal this semester to take more cafe trips with my friends. Anywhere that serves a gingerbread latte alongside a slice of carrot cake (or a sausage sandwich depending on my mood) is a safe space for my mental health.

Bookshop crawl

As an English Literature student, I feel like it’s an absolute crime that I have never done this and I absolutely need to since my York bookshop knowledge goes no further than Waterstones! That and the fact that I really need to get back into reading for pleasure to pull me out of my embarrassing Dress to Impress addiction… because it’s bad.

Go shopping in Give The Dog A Bone

Seasonal Jellycats!!! What else do I really need to say? Have you seen how adorable the Amuseabls Gingerbread House and Mitzi Reindeer are? I bought both in September, from Give The Dog A Bone, because I have a problem with Jellycats at the best of times, nevermind holiday editions! I can’t think of a better way to make yourself happy, during the colder months, than treating yourself to a Jellycat friend! However, if Jellycats aren’t for you (…literally don’t speak to me) I’m sure you’ll find something that tickles your fancy in here, as Give The Dog A Bone is arguably the cutest shop in York with all its Moomin and Disney merchandise. I definitely recommend a trip here this semester!

Attend a firework show

Remember remember the 5th of November… or in this case the 4th of November as that’s the night of the Autumn Lights firework display hosted in Elvington Airfield! Picture this, a night with your besties watching pretty fireworks, eating delicious street food and riding funfair rides, does this not sound like the most fun and nostalgic night imaginable? It does to me and you will certainly be catching me there!

Cat Cafe

To anybody who misses their pets more than their family while they’re away at university… guilty… this is the perfect escape for you! Even if you don’t fit into this category, does the idea of cuddling some cute kitties not instantly melt away any academic stress you may be feeling? If you’re afraid of cats (I’m not judging you) this one may not be for you, but to any cat lovers out there this is a perfect way to take a study break!

Spend your life savings in LUSH

Move over Spooky Season, because I am SO ready for Snow Fairy Season to return! Seasonal Lush bath products genuinely give me the will to live, what do you mean you don’t want to smell like peppermint after a bubble bath? Are you boring? Yes. Okay being completely serious, maybe don’t take any advice from me when it comes to Lush, as I’m definitely not the best influence and have spent an ungodly amount of money in that shop… but I’m literally just a girl.

Avoid the Christmas markets on a weekend at all costs

The Christmas markets are absolutely AMAZING… if you don’t go on a weekend that is because then you may as well have just died and gone to hell. I recommend having your cosy wander around the stalls with a hot chocolate or Yorkshire pudding wrap in hand (depending on your mood) at maybe 2pm on a monday… before the school holidays arrive that is…

So there you go! I hope my semester one bucket list has inspired at least a handful of you to add one or more of these bullet points to your own list of goals for the upcoming months, as I’m certainly looking forward to ticking off as many of these activities as possible!

Related stories recommended by this writer:

•Five top tips to avoid seasonal sadness this year in York

•A new light show is coming to the York Minster this Saturday

•10 things you’ll only understand if you’re living in an all girls’ flat at York