Can it really be December already and the end of teaching for 2023? Once again, Semester 1 leading up to the Winter break has flown by, and while it can feel like a hard slog at times, it still seems to rush by in a blur, especially as many of us now prepare for festive celebrations.
While for lots of students, this time of year is about completing assessments in time to be collected by family and head home for the break, many others will remain in Bath or on-campus. The majority will be international and doctoral students, but we also have students who now see Bath as their permanent residence and don’t leave for the break.
I briefly spoke to Imroze Sahota, Student Retention Team Leader in Student Support, about those students who stay behind. Imroze shared with me that care-experienced students, or those estranged from their parents or family, will often stay in Bath over the festive period. This time of year can be particularly hard for many students, whether they are international and far away from home or perhaps without family and feeling isolated.
When I asked Imroze if there was anything academic colleagues could do to help, he suggested:
The University and SU collectively put on lots of activities over the Winter break for all students, so I’d suggest Personal Tutors and Supervisors just drop a friendly email to all their tutees and students as part of signing off for the winter break. Let them know when you’ll be back in the office, highlight all the support services that run throughout the break, and link to the Winter at Bath activities programme. Hopefully this reassures all students, whether they are staying in Bath or not, that support is always available.
A small gesture like the one above can go a long way in ensuring that students feel supported, particularly at a time of year when the campus can feel sparse and quiet. It could also help them access support or a community they otherwise would not have been aware of. For example, students can now sign up for a Winter at Bath WhatsApp channel to get reminders and up-to-date information, and if their friends are all going away over the vacation and they would like to meet new people then they can sign up for a Winter at Bath buddying scheme.
Many of us will be setting our ‘out of office’ for the whole of the university “closure” period (more on that later). There can be a big difference between setting your out-of-office email and actually switching off from work. The temptation to check emails or do the odd bit of work can sometimes escalate. It is vital for our own wellbeing to take that time away and relax after a very busy term. “Relaxing” looks different for everyone, whether you prefer doing the bare minimum, watching endless old Christmas movies, catching up with friends, or maybe going away for the winter break – we all must do what works for us. I noticed the December holiday countdown calendar, put together by the Culture and Inclusion team and Staff Wellbeing Manager, to help us keep our self-care on track for the end of the year and loved some of the suggestions.
As I inferred earlier, this myth that the university closes over Winter break is not true. Security colleagues are available 24/7 throughout the break and Student Support Advice is open for students every day, including Christmas Day. Our Be Well-Talk Now 24/7/365 service will also be available for students via phone or live chat, no matter where they are in the world. I want to thank those colleagues, and many others, who will be working hard throughout the break to support our students.
Finally, I want to thank all my colleagues for the support you have provided our students and each other this semester and wish you all a happy and restful winter break. See you in 2024!
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