With daylight saving over, here’s a survival guide to shorter days in Fallowfield

The clocks have just gone back. Apart from the extra hour of sleep that comes with it, the day that British Summer Time officially ends is objectively one of the worst days of the year. Cue the shorter days and trudging to and from uni in the dark.

This is my third Fallowfield autumn-verging-on-winter and I think I am starting to get a hang of what keeps me (relatively) positive through the colder months. This is my (non-exhaustive) list of things to do to survive it.

1. Daylight, daylight, daylight!

In a week of pub nights, socials and accidental trips into town, it’s all too easy to fall into a cycle of going to sleep in the early hours of the morning, waking up in the afternoon and missing all of the few hours of daylight we get in the winter. We’ve all been guilty of it. Try to make sure you don’t go days without a bit of daylight, because that is one thing guaranteed to wreck your mood.

2. You need an umbrella and/or a waterproof

It is going to rain. You are going to get caught in a torrential downpour. One thing that will definitely ruin your day will be sitting through your dull day of lectures soaked to the bone. Invest in an umbrella and/or raincoat. Be prepared! Be warm! Be dry! (Be smug!)

3. Crisp autumn sun

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You open your blinds and are shocked by the bright blue sky outside of your window. You can’t believe it. Stop what you’re doing – the pre-reading will still be there tomorrow – go and enjoy the sun. When a rare day of blue skies and crisp autumnal weather visits Manchester, make the most of it.

Go for a coffee (Haus, Good Faith), sit in a beer garden (Orion, The Vic, Friendship), go for a walk (Fletcher Moss, Platt Fields, Peak District). Getting out and about in that spell of sunshine will feel like a real treat.

4. Hot chocolates

You’d be lying if you told me that a hot chocolate doesn’t lift your spirits. Hot chocolates are a universal simple pleasure, and I will not hear otherwise. Best enjoyed wearing your favourite pair of fluffy socks.

5. Get cozy for a movie night

It’s all too easy to rot away with your housemates in front of daytime TV. So why not make it into a bit of an occasion? Stick a movie on, pick up some snacks and get cozy on the sofa with your mates. The right company and the right movie sends the winter blues packin’.

6. Emergency meals

You might’ve followed this list of incredible tips and tricks and still feel the weight of the winter blues! If that’s the case, you probably don’t want to cook. In fact, you can’t think of anything worse. Keep a Tupperware of a comforting, hearty meal left in your freezer for when the idea of making yourself something to eat is just too much. Feeding yourself is looking after yourself in the simplest way and can make a huge difference.

In all seriousness, autumn and winter can be really tough seasons! It’s dark, cold and wet. The days are short, the nights are long. However, there are ways to not only survive it, but enjoy it! Get outside, look after yourself and keep an eye on your friends.

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