Seven winter essentials for Bristol Uni students: A definitive guide

With the winter weather rolling in and deadline season hitting harder than ever, it’s important to be extra equipped for the cold, dark seasons. We all know they’re usually the toughest times of the university year, and it gets harder and harder to romanticise when you’re cold and sad.  Here’s a list of winter essentials to keep you cosy this winter season!  

1. Electric blanket

This is an essential for any uni student, especially when you’re avoiding putting on the heating until absolutely necessary. They heat up so fast and get really warm, especially the ones that go under your bedsheet. They’re perfect for getting cosy and watching Netflix after a long day of studying. 

They’re also much cheaper per use than putting on the heating, which is a bonus for uni students on a budget. You’ll just have to fight off the temptation to get into bed to use it.

2. Hot water bottle

If you’re not into the idea of an electric blanket, a hot water bottle is a great alternative. It’s great to have it on your lap while studying or to put it in your bed a little while before you get in it to keep it warm and cosy. They’re quite cheap and you can get such cute covers for them – a perfect accessory to your pyjamas.

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If you want to go one step further, those heat-up lavender teddies are super cute and much nicer to cuddle with. You can get llamas, elephants, or whatever your favourite animal is. They’re extra perfect for when you’re missing your pet from home because they’re warm and weighted (AND they smell nice?!)

3. Hot drinks

Aside from the usual coffee, a hot drink is absolutely crucial to fight off the cold weather. One or two boxes of tea bags or even a whole tea cupboard make the dark evenings and long study sessions much more bearable. From chai to green to lemon and ginger, there’s something for everyone. 

If tea’s not your thing, hot chocolate is another great option to stay warm and cosy this winter. Bonus points if it’s a Nutella one from the Christmas market or a hot mulled wine for when you’re feeling festive.

You also can’t go wrong with a coffee date between classes. Cotham Hill has some great spots! 

4. A chunky scarf

A big chunky scarf is so essential in the winter. Not only does it make any outfit look so much cooler and warmer, but it also doubles as a blanket during those cold days on campus when they forget to turn on the heating. It’s also great for an impromptu nap in the library during deadline season or a quick trip to the corner shop on a sweet treat run. Fashionable AND functional is a win-win. It’s even better if you go for the trifecta and wear a scarf, hat, and gloves.  

5. Warm lighting

Although the big light is sometimes necessary, life is so much better with cosy lighting. Think fairy lights, sunset lamps, and rock salt lamps. Maybe even all of them, if you’re lucky. They make any dull space so much more colourful and inviting and it’s so much more pleasant having nice lighting when it gets dark at 4pm. If you’re in extra need of some comfort, candles are another great option. Pillar candles for the dinner table add some sophisticated vibes to even a bowl of pesto pasta, and Christmas candles are a great way to get in the festive spirit while you’re writing your essays and revising for exams.  

6. Vitamin D

England is notorious for its grey winters. Add that to the long hours of classes and studying, and it’s highly likely we’re all vitamin D deficient. Adding some supplements to your daily routine could be super helpful for getting rid of the winter blues. If supplements aren’t your thing, a sunlight lamp is a good investment for dark mornings so you can at least pretend that you’ve seen the sun in the past week. 

At the weekends, it’s also so good to get out for a walk, even for 15 minutes. It could be a quick trip to Clifton Village or a long walk around Stoke Park Estate, anything for a bit of fresh air and some sun on your face. 

7. A social calendar

It’s so tempting to hibernate inside during the winter months, especially when it’s dark and rainy, but it’s so good to get out and see friends. A rough plan of one social event each week really boosts morale and gives you something to look forward to that isn’t just deadlines and exam dates. It can be something as small as studying in a café with a friend or getting a pint after uni, or it could be a trip to the cinema and a meal out.  

These are the best years of our lives, or at least our parents tell us that, so we can’t waste them away just writing essays and complaining about how cold we are!