As I write this message to you, it is December 1st. Where has the time gone? – it’s been only two months since the freshers began their move to Lancaster!

The festive spirit is definitely starting to settle into campus as the end of term draws closer and the Christmas socials begin. Last week, the Swimming and Water Polo club had their Christmas social at The Crafty Scholar pub in the town centre. It is a fabulous opportunity to socialise with your fellow athletes over some super tasty food and drink. We ended the night as always in the student union nightclub – Sugarhouse. It was an amazing night, with a pretty famous band called Scouting for Girls playing there! I love to see live bands and it was a super fun event, so thank you Lancaster University Students Union for organising that!

Essays and coursework are also looming in the background, as week 9 comes upon us on Monday. I am feeling pretty relieved at the moment, as I have completed both of my assessed presentations for health economics and have got my essay for my international business module just about done. Only my two essays left to go on health economics and British foreign policy!

Whilst the stress is settling in a little, as deadlines draw closer, I have been making sure to set time aside to enjoy socialising with friends and continue doing all the things I love. It’s super important to take breaks and chill out from time to time, and with the festive season on the horizon, it’s a great motivator to persevere to the end of term!

I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone lots of luck with their studies and I hope everyone has an amazing festive season!

Speak to you soon,

Orla