Vacation welfare support

A change in routine

During vacations, both undergraduate and postgraduate routines change. Formal lectures and seminars pause, allowing students to focus on self-directed study and much-needed rest. For postgraduates, extended periods of self-directed research are more standard.

It's natural if you find vacations challenging

Vacations might bring additional stress, especially for students from abroad, far from home, or dealing with estrangement. Social networks can change, and the pace may shift due to travel, returning home, work, or year-abroad plans. You may feel pressure to make the most of vacations for CV-building or completing academic work. It is important to keep a balanced outlook during the vacations, and take time to rest and reset.

Making time for your wellbeing

Make your health, and mental wellbeing a priority, as well as the opportunities offered by the vacations. Consider your wellbeing like a bank account—regular self-care deposits (sleep, relaxation, exercise) ensure overall wellbeing and a strong basis for the next term.

Student Minds has a series of blogs with advice for making the most of your vacation, what to do if you don’t want to go home for the holidays, and advice for staying at university over the break.

The Counselling Service has also released a blog with advice for estranged and care-experienced students over the holidays.  

However you feel about the vacation, the University's welfare services and Oxford-wide services can provide support and assistance if needed.

Vacation welfare support services

The University Counselling Service remains open outside of term time to provide support, providing both in-person and online appointments. Over the winter vacation, the Counselling Service will be closed from Wednesday 24 December to Friday 2 January inclusive (re-opening Monday 5 January). The Counselling Service also has a range of supportive resources available online.

During vacation periods, some college welfare and student bodies will offer a range of activities for students who are remaining in Oxford. Check your college website and welfare team for updated details.

You can also access Oxford SU Advice.

During the closure period, you can still get support from local or national organisations: 

If you are in crisis and in Oxford 

• Dial 999 or go to John Radcliffe Hospital's A&E, Headley Way, Headington OX3 9DU. Open 24/7. Contact: 0300 304 7777. 
• NHS. Dial 111 and find where to get urgent NHS help for mental health. 
• Oxford University Security Services. Contact 01865 289 999. Open 24/7. 

If you are in crisis and away from Oxford 

• Dial 999 or find your nearest A&E. 
• NHS. Dial 111 and find where to get urgent NHS help for mental health. 
• View contact information for other welfare and health concerns.   

Togetherall 
Available 24/7, 365 days a year, Togetherall provides space to connect with other students through online forums, advice, and structured self-learning courses. It is free to register with your Oxford email and if you’re registered, you can talk online to a mental health professional using the ‘message a wall guide’ feature. 

Samaritans 
Samaritans offers a free confidential helpline where you can speak to a trained volunteer at any time of the day or night- call 116 123. 

Oxfordshire Safe Haven 
Open every day of the year, Oxfordshire Safe Haven is a space for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis to speak to someone and get support. 

NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies 
NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies is a free, confidential NHS service available to anyone over the age of 18, registered with a GP in Oxfordshire. To access call 01865 901 222, Monday 8am-5pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8am-8pm or Friday 8am-5pm, or complete an online self-referral form. 

International students 

More information for international students can be found on the New Student pages.  

The UK Council for International Student Affairs is charity and membership organisation supporting international students.