By Lindsey Packer
Daylight savings continue to challenge motivation each year, the colder weather rolls in, and students scramble to wrap up exams, papers and projects. As the days grow shorter and deadlines loom closer, senior Ella Miller from Leawood, Kansas finds that spending time outdoors while it’s still light and connecting with friends is a great way to cope with homesickness during the holiday season.
“Seasonal depression is a real thing, especially being far away from home,” Miller said, “but I really try to put a lot of time and effort “into” my friends and doing things that make me happy. The holidays are a very important time to me, and I try to make Fayetteville a home away from home.”
Difficult days are inevitable during this time of year which is why Miller stresses the importance of reaching out to family and friends back home if you are feeling homesick. Acknowledging that it is a tough time of year and missing family is completely normal, Miller encourages leaning on the friends nearby, reassuring that you will get through it.
Creating new traditions with friends, decorating her cozy home away from home, joining in Christmas movie marathons and cherishing the small moments that make the season special are ways Miller is embracing the joy of the holiday season.
Being away from home during the holiday season can bring added feelings of anxiety and sadness for students. Livia Sellin, a junior from Gothenburg, Sweden, who is studying business economics this semester at the U of A, misses her close friends, family and traditional Swedish foods and candy, but she is nonetheless excited to share her culture with some of her new friends in Arkansas.
“I’d love to share St. Lucia’s Day with my friends here in Fayetteville,” Sellin said. “Although it might be a bit challenging since it’s based in Sweden, we could still bake lussekatter or other Swedish treats together.” St. Lucia’s Day, celebrated Dec. 13 in Nordic countries, is a festival of lights. Sellin described how her family sings songs in honor of St. Lucia and enjoys saffron buns called lussekatter.
Sellin and Daisy Natt, a junior international student from Winchester, England, are excited to are excited to share their culture with their new friends and experience the holidays in America. They both mentioned how the elaborate decorations here have been a bit of a culture shock for them.
“America really goes big with decorations and lights, while in Sweden we take a more subtle approach, focusing on an aesthetic feel rather than an [over the top] Christmas vibe,” Sellin said.
A major Christmas tradition in Natt’s family is gathering together to watch soccer. She explained that many families in England, including hers, have grown up watching soccer on Christmas Day every year, which is very similar to families in America watching football on major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
As the season progresses and students await snow and colder weather, ice skating and sledding with friends are just a few activities that can help lift your spirits during the shorter days. These are some activities back in Sweden that Sellin enjoys with her friends.
“Where I live, we have a Christmas market and ice skating rink outside the cathedral, which I have been going to since I was a child. I miss going there after school or work,” Natt said.
Natt explained that mulled wine and cider are popular traditional drinks in England during the holiday season, but she has not seen either around Fayetteville. She also is not used to the warm weather but has enjoyed the extra daylight hours, especially since back home the sun sets at 4 p.m.
Exploring festive holiday lights, spending time outdoors at holiday markets and trivia nights, and enjoying movies and decorating with friends are just a few ways U of A students are spreading holiday cheer. Sharing cultural traditions and teaching each other about family holiday customs is a wonderful way to feel connected, even when you are far from home. Decorating your college space will help make it feel cozy and festive, making the month of studying and papers a little more enjoyable.
The Lights of the Ozarks is a cherished tradition that has been decorating the historic square for 31 years, featuring around 500,000 lights. Bundle up in your coats, and do not forget the hot chocolate because it is a unique experience close to campus you will not want to miss.
“I’m really excited to see the Lights of the Ozarks”, said Sellin.
Holiday markets are held throughout Fayetteville and one of the experiences Natt is looking forward to before returning to her hometown of Winchester. The Fayetteville Historic Downtown Square will host local vendors, live music and food trucks every Wednesday in December leading up to Christmas.
Gather your friends and form a team to join Puritan Coffee and Beer for a Christmas Vacation Trivia Night on Dec. 20. Meanwhile, the Fayetteville Public Library will be screening “It’s a Wonderful Life” to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, courtesy of NWA Equality on Dec. 19.
Here are a few other things Fayetteville offers students and locals to embrace this holiday season:
“A Christmas Carol” by TheatreSquared, Martina McBride, “The Joy of Christmas Tour” is on Dec.18 at Walton Art Center. Home Alone Christmas Pop-Up Bar at Lambeth Lounge all season long.
While many consider Christmas the most wonderful time of the year, it can also bring feelings of loneliness or sadness for some. Reaching out to friends, family and your community can help make this time of year feel more like home and keep your final month of the college semester festive and bright.
It is normal to feel seasonal depression or heightened anxiety as the semester comes to a close. Reaching out to friends and family and maintaining open communication can help ease the shift from warmer to colder weather. If you or someone you know is struggling, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) is an excellent on-campus resource for professional support and mental health care.