As temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier, students can find comfort and connection in unexpected ways
As winter sets in at McMaster University, the campus transforms and so do its students and their habits. Outdoor spaces like the arts quad and Mills Plaza, typically lively during the fall, become much quieter. Meanwhile, indoor spaces such as libraries, coffee shops and lounges are buzzing with activity as students seek refuge from the cold.
Winter brings a noticeable shift to campus life. The shorter days, colder temperatures and reduced sunlight can lead to what some may know as the "winter slump"—a sense of fatigue, low energy and decreased motivation that often comes with the changing seasons.
Campus routines and spaces evolve in response to the season's challenges and student habits are noticeably shifting. People walk more quickly to class, bundled in heavy coats, or just choose to stay indoors altogether whenever possible.
“Winter sort of changes how we move around campus,” explained Emily Chen, a second-year student at McMaster. “It’s not even just about staying warm. It’s also about finding where you feel comfortable and connected.” Shared indoor spaces where students gather to study or relax, such as The Hub or The Grind, offer more than warmth—they become key for maintaining a sense of community.
It’s not even just about staying warm. It’s also about finding where you feel comfortable and connected.
Emily Chen, Second-year student
McMaster University
Finding comfort in small rituals becomes a way to navigate the season. Whether it’s swapping headphones for earmuffs or finding a new spot to study, students adapt their routines to embrace the season. “I’ve officially made the switch from iced to hot coffee on my way to class. It’s a small thing, but it’s noticeable,” said Chen.
Socializing also takes on a more intimate tone this time of year. Group study sessions, smaller gatherings, and winter-themed events hosted by campus organizations offer more opportunities for connection. “Winter feels slower,” noted Grace Parker, a student in her third year at McMaster. “You’re not rushing from one event to the next. You can actually sit and talk and enjoy the moment.”
Winter feels slower. You’re not rushing from one event to the next. You can actually sit and talk and enjoy the moment.
Grace Parker, Third-year Student
McMaster University
However, the winter slump is not just about routines—it’s also a mental challenge. The colder months can bring feelings of isolation and low energy, which may impact students’ overall well-being. Seasonal affective disorder is one factor that adds fuel to the winter slump, leaving some students feeling drained and unmotivated.
To support students during this time, McMaster offers resources such as mental health services and wellness programs. Students are also finding personal strategies to manage the season’s challenges. “Even though it’s freezing, I try to take short walks outside. I think it actually makes a huge difference—I feel more awake and focused,” shared Parker.
Yet, winter also presents opportunities for reflection and connection. While the season may feel slower, it encourages a shift in priorities. Students can come to appreciate the quieter pace and find meaning in their routines and interactions. “Winter gives you the chance to slow down,” said Parker. “It’s a different kind of busy, where you can actually focus on yourself.”
Winter gives you the chance to slow down. It’s a different kind of busy, where you can actually focus on yourself.
Grace Parker, Third-year student
McMaster University
The winter can be a difficult time for many students, but they continue to find ways to adapt and persevere. While the cold and shorter days bring challenges, they also create space for smaller meaningful moments that define campus life during the season.
The winter slump is more than just an individual struggle. It is a shared experience among students. In a strange way, there is a sense of collective understanding and community in the struggle that makes the season feel just a little less isolating.
The daily grind of university life is an accomplishment worth romanticizing
The start of a new year often brings a surge of ambition. Students return to campus with big goals of acing exams, consistent workouts and perfectly balanced schedules. Yet, as the weeks unfold, the initial momentum fades and the reality of the university grind sets in.
Alongside dreams to remain consistent and dwindling motivation, romanticizing the mundane of university life could perhaps foster mindfulness and motivation to last you the entire semester.
Romanticizing the mundane of university life could perhaps foster mindfulness and motivation to last you the entire semester.
Like many students, I begin each semester with ambitious goals and fresh motivation. Yet, as the semester unfolds and responsibilities build up, those goals often take a backseat, leaving my early enthusiasm behind.
With motivation seemingly lost in the hustle, it is easy to overlook the value hidden in the simplest parts of your day. The seemingly insignificant moments, such as grabbing a coffee, walking to campus, or studying with your friends, hold the power to ground you.
Romanticizing the mundane offers a refreshing perspective on daily life. It encourages students to embrace the repetitive aspects of their routines rather than viewing them as monotonous chores. This mindset not only helps break the cycle of boredom but also fosters resilience and sustainable motivation.
University life is filled with highs and lows. Accepting the challenges that accompany it can be mentally taxing. Maintaining a routine committed to the simplest aspects of life could help you keep going even when you’re at your lowest times, long after your resolution fades.
Maintaining a routine committed to the simplest aspects of life could help you keep going even when you’re at your lowest times, long after your resolution fades
I believe that embracing the mundane amid the hustle of university life can help students cultivate mindfulness and resilience. Focusing on the small, ordinary moments in daily routines may offer a healthier and more fulfilling approach to the academic journey.
Perhaps it’s time to consider rewriting the narrative of success to celebrate and value living mindfully in the present and seeing the beauty of each day.
By: Daanish Kachalia and Ryan Veerasammy
Juggling an academic, social and personal life, it’s no wonder that many students, ourselves included, wish there were more hours in the day. For the past few weeks, we have been committed to maximizing each day — starting with waking up early. Starting our days at 6 a.m. has markedly improved our lives.
Leaving the house before the sun rises invokes a feeling like no other. It is extremely satisfying to succeed in the challenge of waking up early. As a result of our early wake-up time, we found that we were motivated to be more productive as we didn’t want to waste the effort it took to get out of bed.
Even though the initial step of waking up can be difficult, the rewards are invaluable. In order to take that first step, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were required.
Our intrinsic motivation consisted of researching the effects of waking up early as a student.
Texas University conducted a study where they found that students who classified themselves as “morning people” had a higher grade point average compared to the average student. A different study completed by Harvard University concluded that individuals who wake up early are more proactive and anticipate problems better.
Our extrinsic motivation stemmed from one another. We challenged each other that if we were not awake by 6 a.m., the person that woke up late would have to buy the other a coffee. By creating a competition, we were more motivated to complete the challenge.
One of the largest challenges in waking up early that we both encountered was restraining from pressing the snooze button. To combat this, we kept our alarms away from our beds so we were forced to get up when they went off in the morning.
Before starting this challenge, we both never had the time to eat breakfast. Now, we incorporated this meal into our everyday life. This has contributed towards a healthier lifestyle and an overall improved outlook for the day.
As the days pass, it is becoming easier to wake up earlier in the morning as our bodies are adjusting to this new routine. We have also noticed reduced stress levels as we can take additional time to complete tasks without feeling rushed or pressured.
We encourage the students of McMaster University to take on the challenge of waking up early. From our experience, we can assure that accomplishing this challenge on a continuous basis will undoubtedly affect your life in a positive way!
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