Preparing for Winter as a New International Student

Students around the world travel to the UK for their studies and most arrive in the Autumn/Winter seasons. As an international student, I come from a tropical country and have lived in the Middle East for some time, so I’ve never experienced weather below 17/18 degrees Celsius before. This is probably the same for other international students, so I’d like to share some tips on staying warm and preparing well for Winter.

Tips on how to prepare

1. Adequate clothing and footwear – shopping is typically the first thing every international student does, but it’s still worth mentioning.
2. Fill your wardrobe with thick clothing items – jumpers, sweaters, vests, jeans, joggers, gloves, coats, puffer jackets, etc. You can layer up with fleece-lined and thermal wear – thick fleece-lined leggings are a personal favourite of mine.
3. Getting the appropriate footwear is also very important, because you don’t want to end up with frostbite. Different kinds of fleece-lined shoes can help keep your feet warm while you’re out and you can get leg warmers and cosy slippers to wear indoors (don’t forget to wear fleece-lined or thermal socks too!) Another tip you can use for your ‘lighter’ sneakers/shoes is to layer up the socks.

Other ways to add warmth – as well as clothing, other items can help to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy

Most houses in the UK have central heating, and as you already know, this is regulated, so when it goes off, it can get really cold. You can get extra plug-in heaters so your room stays warm, and electric blankets, duvets, and other bedding can also help. However, please check with the University’s accommodation team or your landlord to ensure you have permission to use these extra electrical items.

Buy gel heat packs to help warm your hands and feet. Warm footbaths can also help, especially if you’ve been outside in the cold.

Skincare

Skincare is a self-care routine that can uplift your mood and even more so during cold seasons like Winter. If you don’t already have a skincare routine, now might be the best time to put together a very basic one.

As a skincare lover, I often try out different products, and it’s worth highlighting some additions to an existing skincare routine that can keep your skin healthy during winter. Skin can get drier and more easily dehydrated at this time, so replacing your usual lightweight moisturising creams with heavier creams, as well as adding facial oils, can help retain moisture and keep your skin well hydrated. And if you don’t already have a serums/ampoules step in your routine, it might be a good idea to try them out.

Finally, don’t forget your sunscreen! The sun may not be visible, but there are still UVA/B rays and sunscreens will protect you from them.

Supplements

This may not be necessary, but it’s always good to cover all bases. Winter is dark and cold and that can mean a higher risk of seasonal depression. It’s commonly advised to stock up on vitamins, OTC medicines, and/or any other supplements that can help combat this and keep you active.

Summary

This will be my first Winter, and initially, it may not be easy to adjust to. However, being ready can help make things easier, and the above tips are great ways to ensure you’re well-prepared – I hope it helps!

Airah Yusuff

Full-time human with a knack for creating social media content (YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest). Airah Yusuff has two of her own blogs where she writes about all things skincare, modest fashion and lifestyle. You can find out more about Airah on her website.