10 Things To Remember Before Heading Home For Christmas

It’s official. The festive season has arrived. The John Lewis advert has dropped, the shops are fully decorated and your mind is probably already home by the fireside.

Before you pack your bags and say temporary goodbyes to your housemates and friends for a few weeks, there are a few things you need to remember!

Book your travel ASAP!

If you haven’t sorted out how you’re heading home for Christmas, now is the time.

If you’re choosing the train, remember that the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets. Plan what dates you want to travel, but try and be flexible and avoid peak times as much as possible. Choose routes avoiding major cities like London, reserve your seat and apply your 16-25 Student Rail Card! Most train ticket websites allow you to book up to twelve weeks ahead, so take advantage.

The same applies if you’re travelling home by Megabus or National Express coaches; choosing more unsociable hours will be a cheaper alternative to peak times.

Smash out the deadlines

If you’ve got work due in for just after the New Year, try and get as much as possible done before heading home.

There’s nothing worse than spending your Christmas stressing out about essays and work assignments. Chances are you’ll be so full up on turkey and Christmas pudding that you won’t be in the mood to work.

Don’t overpack

If your mode of transport is anything other than a car, then the biggest tip we can give you is to travel light!

That means even though mum will beg you to bring home the semesters washing, don’t. Keep in mind that you’re only heading back for a few weeks, and it’s likely you’ll have a few clothes left at home anyway.

There’s nothing worse than watching other flustered students dragging rammed-full suitcases through a busy train station, desperately trying to cram it onto a rammed coach or train carriage.

Remember – if you’ve been good this year, Santa will be visiting you, so remember to leave some space for presents!

Shop online for your gifts

Doing the majority of your Christmas shopping online and sending it to your home address saves a whole lot of time, effort and space in your suitcase. Just make sure you’re on it asap so everything you buy is delivered home in time for the 25th.

Remember to apply your student discount and watch out for sales for the best bargains!

Take down your decorations

If you’re super festive and love to have your room decorated, as painful as it sounds, consider taking them down before you head home. There’s nothing worse than returning mid January with the post-Christmas blues, discovering you still need to take the tree down and hoover all the glitter up.

Make a list

Make a list of everything you’re packing and taking back home. This will help immensely when it comes to packing your case again.

Whatever you do – remember your student house keys for going back!

Don’t waste electricity

Before leaving, make sure you’ve checked all applicants are turned off, electrical, household heating and that your water sources are closed tight.

This includes turning things off standby. You might want to unplug everything to be extra sure (and save money), we don’t want nasty bills to be returning to because you’re house has been 35 degrees.

Empty the fridge

The absolute worst thing you can do is head home for three or four weeks and return to milk that’s turned into cheese. Throw out all food you’re not going to eat, take with you or won’t keep and while you’re there give the fridge a little clean!

Lock up securely

Check all the windows, bedroom doors, external doors and the front door is locked properly. Anything valuable either remove it and take it with you or hide it and lock it up.

Keep a low profile

Student areas are known to break-ins and raids.

Do not announce online or on your social media that you’re going away for a few weeks and that your house will be empty. That means no photos at the train station or the jam-packed car you’re travelling in! Apply this rule to all your housemates.

Safe travels!

Inspiring Interns is a recruitment agency specialising in all the internships and graduate jobs London has to offer.