My top 5 autumn/winter essentials

Mia Ainsley

With dark nights and cold days fast approaching, it is definitely time to start making your university home a little cosier. In this blog I am going to share my top 5 essential items for surviving Durham’s colder months.

1. Hot water bottle

As hard as it now is for me to believe, I only just invested in a hot water bottle for Durham. After complaining about the cold weather to family and friends for what feels like forever, I ended up receiving three of them for my birthday this month! They have definitely saved me from the expensive rising heating costs, especially being a student and are a lovely addition to my fluffy duvet covers and thick pyjamas.  I now cannot believe I ever did university without them.

2. Fairy lights

More items that go hand in hand with saving money as well as just generally creating a cosy bedroom are fairy lights! Luckily, unlike the hot water bottles, these are not something I have just discovered for my bedroom this year. I have actually kept these lights from first year and they still have the same effect of making me smile every time I walk into my bedroom. These are probably the most cliché university bedroom item but I would totally recommend!

3. Waterproof footwear

This may sound like a given, but I actually did not have shoes like this before coming to Durham. In the winter months (and basically every month) it rains, a lot. I used to brave my trainers before deciding it was time to invest in something a little more durable and it was definitely worth it. I would maybe suggest going for a darker colour than though, as you can already see the mud on mine.

4. Fluffy dressing gown

This one speaks for itself; the fluffier the better. You will definitely not regret sacrificing some space in the suitcase for this one over winter.

5 (& 6). Hot chocolate & a book

Now, these may be two separate things but, in my eyes, they go hand in hand. As Durham students, we tend to read a lot! But I have found that since coming to university and having to do lots of reading for my course, I forget about the books I actually enjoy for leisure. Sometimes it is nice to take some time, with a hot drink, to read something outside of your subject. This book is not my usual genre, but it was a gift from friends specifically due to the fact that it is a collection of short stories so that I can dip in and out around my studies. A perfect solution!

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Mia Ainsley


Hi! I am Mia, a third year Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC) student at Durham University. From the north east & a very proud member of Josephine Butler College. When I am not studying for my degree, you can probably find me taking part in some of Durham's societies. I am one of the project coordinators for MLAC Outreach society, a member of the 93% club and hoping to join yoga soon too!


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