My summer certainly wasn’t the sociable vacation that Sandy and Danny sing about in Grease. Moving into my second year room to begin internships only a few weeks after having moved out of my fresher accommodation, I found that the combination of a vacation, where all my uni friends return home, and staying in Cambridge, with none of my home friends to keep me company left me with no one – dilemma dilemma! The name 'long vacation' suddenly took up new meaning for me…

So, for those of you who will be spending some vacation time in Cambridge over the upcoming holidays, I’ve made a cheeky little guide for you to make the most of your extra time here. It can be both a blessing and a curse, but with my tips and tricks, it might just lean more toward blessing.

Take up a regular hobby that requires stepping foot outside

The mission: avoid becoming a hermit. Do something active, preferably with fresh air (healthy body = healthy mind!), which guarantees exposure to people so you don’t go the whole day without seeing another soul. I wish I’d joined a group – for example the idyllic Tai Chi group I passed on Jesus Green a few times (it really was like something out of a film) – but I made do with an investment in a Jesus Green Lido membership, enjoying the odd conversation about the pool temperature with some pensioners who I’m afraid to say frequently out-swam me. A winter-friendly version of this might be volunteering at the many soup kitchens operating in Cambridge, or even just becoming a regular at an independent cafe (may the pumpkin spice keep coming!)

Nurture those links you don’t normally engage with during term time

This isn’t just about keeping morale up during the quiet periods but making the most of that all-too-rare free time in Cambridge. Links to nurture may include your college library staff, or the baristas at your favourite cafe; for me, it was my beloved college porters. I spent many an evening with them just talking: about life experiences, plans for the future, even relationship troubles; you name it, we discussed it over Yorkshire tea. Now that term is in full swing again, there’s a lot more “sorry I have to run!” and a lot less detailed story-telling and wisdom-sharing, but they made the slow days feel more full, and sent me off with a spring in my step, clean laundry or Sainsbury’s shopping in hand.

Make an achievable bucket list

You don’t need to summit Mount Everest. Too difficult and on the hard days it’ll feel unattainable, but a simple to-do list of the things you’re usually too busy to do during term time can make you feel super productive, something I found myself absolutely craving, but lacking. For me this was a walk to big Tesco’s along the river, a few trips to John Lewis to sample perfumes (ready for the pre-Christmas sales), and walking a big bag of out-grown and under-loved clothes to a charity shop – stopping to peruse the jewellery of course.

Make the most of being so close to London (or other nearby cities)

If, like me, Cambridge is the closest you’ll get to London for the time being, make the most of the free days to go see it! Armed only with an open day return and screenshots of the London underground maps, I spent a lovely day wandering around Camden, Covent Garden, and even stumbling across Buckingham Palace while journeying on an iconic double-decker bus. When I finally got home on a late train I felt the good, wholesome kind of tired that I hadn’t felt in a while – lucky I had a quiet Cambridge to recover in! For those of you who grew up in London, apologies, and to you I recommend my home city Norwich instead – great for history buffs, shopaholics, and anyone who likes an old-as-time pub.

Get on out there!

Most of us are just about able to squeeze in a few hobbies during term-time, but stretching to dating can be a bit much. Whether you have a no-intra-college rule, or are just severely lacking in free evenings, university might not be the ‘Pitch Perfect’ experience you were anticipating (save for our infamous hook-up culture…). You can see where I’m going with this so I’ll leave the decision of dating apps/bars/praying for a meet-cute to you, but go on, have some fun!

I hope this little list can help my fellow Cambridge residents feel positive about spending the holidays alone. As with everything in life, the quiet periods will pass, but this might just help some of you truly enjoy them.

So, get ready to rest-up and become better acquainted with life in this lovely city – see you at Tai-Chi maybe!