How you can prepare for the end of term like a pro
With the end of term just around the corner (the last day of teaching is March 25, 2022), we’ve put together a handy list of things to do to help you be organised and be sorted for the break.
For many of you, this is the last holiday before the summer comes and you’ll be moving out of your room, your flat or your student house, and is a great time to get organised.
The future you will thank your organisation now! A tiny bit of planning now can make a huge difference in June.
Leaving Leeds and going to your family home over the holiday?
This is the time to move of that stuff you’ve built up since the autumn that you’re not going to need for the next few months. Things to pack up and move out might include:
- Christmas tree and decorations
- The Big Coat — although it can be a bit chilly in Leeds from April onwards, you’ll be glad you don’t have to pack this in June.
- Old lecture notes — if you don’t need them for revision.
- Winter footwear — they take up a lot of space, but remember it will still be wet and muddy at times!
- Winter wardrobe — Remember when you spent all of your money on Depop? Take what you don’t need home and make things much easier in June. (Also, do you really need that fancy dress costume until next year?)
Keeping your house/room safe
If you’re going away — sensible planning can help keep things safe:
- Ensure windows and doors are always locked, especially when you’re not at home.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Keep your bag, phone, laptop etc with you at all times.
- Register your possessions with Immobilise so that the police can return any stolen items, if found.
Donating unwanted food to local foodbanks
If you’re leaving Leeds for a while, then you can donate your unwanted food. Here’s a useful list of places near you.
Rainbow Junktion in Hyde Park welcomes food donations (and toiletries and Tupperware) every Monday, Thursday and Friday between 10–4.
Leeds Grand Mosque also has donation points, and accepts not just food but other items for those in need in the wider comunity.
Leaving Leeds for a bit?
If you’re away, then make sure your belongings are safe. It’s likely you’re going to be in Leeds for some of the time, and with a break of a month before teaching starts again (April 25) then it’s a good time to get organised.
Get rid of unwanted items
There’s lots of places to take unwanted items, and it’s great to get it done now, rather than all in one go at the end of the year.
Facebook market place and Gumtree are good places to sell any items you don’t need any more. Always remember to follow safety guidance when you do this. Facebook groups like the current student Facebook group are also a good place to sell books, clothes or household items. Also, there’s Shpock, WeBuyBooks.co.uk and Fatbrain
Charity shops — they will welcome your donations of clean items that they can sell and help others. Some will take furniture and electrical items. Find a charity shop near you.
Free little libraries — you might have seen the two on campus, in the Sustainable Garden and the precinct outside Leeds University Union (LUU). Drop off any books you don’t need — others will be glad you did. You might even find something good to read too!
There’s lots of places to recycle things you don’t need — in halls of residence, on campus or in the city.
Anything with batteries or a plug — find out where to recycle safely in Leeds
In Leeds over the holiday?
There’s a lot going on.
You’ll find a huge range of activities on our events and activities page. Whether it’s trips to the sea-side, games, discovering local places, they all have one thing in common — a perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and to meet new people.
Follow us on student Twitter and the current student Facebook group for regular updates and reminders about these events. See you there!
What’s open and where to get support
Some buildings and services might have different opening hours over the holidays.
Remember that there’s always people who can help, whether you need help with practical things, or are worried about your mental health. There’s also emergency contact details on the page too.
