By Komari Machida and Saanika Sudeep Manithara
Correction 09.12: The physical Winter Edition states one of the co-authors as “Vedosi Karmarker”, which is incorrect. The correct co-author is Saanika Sudeep Manithara.
As the temperature drops, students at AUC begin to prepare for the infamous Dutch winter – some are seasoned in the ways of the cold, while others have never experienced any kind of winter before. Yet in the midst of a growing hopelessness about the season, this practical guide hopes to dispel any anxiety about what’s ahead, and shed some positivity on an otherwise dark period.
What to Expect
The astronomical winter officially starts on 21 December, but the harsh weather conditions of early December makes it feel like it starts much earlier. The four months of winter conclude in mid-March, but until then, the near-zero temperatures we’ve been experiencing are projected to continue, with occasional below-zero days. These attributes may be enough to cause anxiety for the average person, but fear not – there are ways to romanticise and embrace the icy season.
Upon interviewing Dutch AUC students and winter survivors alike to see how students from various backgrounds experience the winter, the general consensus was that winter can get pretty gloomy. Alex Williams, a second-year Humanities major, says the winter is especially tough for him since it gets “dark so early” and there is “barely any light” outside. “You don’t see the sun literally for three months when it kicks in. Genuinely. Not even a joke,” he laughs. Ingelien Jansen, first-year Humanities major, also expresses her dislike for the dark: “Especially if you have something like school […] you wake up and then it’s dark and you go to school and it’s dark, and then you come back and [the day is] gone.” It seems to be mainly the lack of sunlight and the short days that give the Dutch winter its notoriety – the gloomy atmosphere creates a claustrophobic winter that feels like it’s closing in on you.
Winter Survival Item Checklist:
Although the cold isn’t the primary fear among students, it is still a formidable force. Even typically outdoorsy people reportedly resist going outside because of it. Preparing for the piercing cold is important, especially if students are inexperienced with the difficulties the Amsterdam winter poses. We’ve compiled a checklist to help ensure a more comfortable winter.
Combatting the Winter Blues
Even if each of the practicalities is taken care of, there is unfortunately still a chance of developing what people commonly refer to as the ‘winter blues’, or seasonal depression. It should be acknowledged that seasonal depression is a serious diagnosis and has tangible effects on mental health. Combatting seasonal depression may not always be as straightforward as simply owning the must-haves outlined above. Interviewed by The Herring, AUC students have described their experiences with the correlation between darker days and winter depression. Ke Huang, a first-year Sciences major, says that “as the days got shorter, it felt like the world was ending and […] life just got progressively more depressing”. This sentiment was shared by Jansen, who stated that she also has the “regular” experience of “feeling down in the winter,” which she ascribes to being a “regular thing for Dutch people”.
People affected by seasonal depression need not be aware of specifically what they are going through. This was the case for Williams, who did not realise he was going through seasonal depression until springtime. Seeing the sun again was a relief for him and made him realise, in hindsight, how unmotivated he had been during the gloomy winter. The shorter, darker days can affect our general energy and mood in ways many people don’t realise. However, Jansen offers some reassuring advice – she says: “You’ll survive, you’ll be okay. And maybe just plan something for spring to look forward to.” Regardless of the degree to which one may be affected by seasonal depression, any emotions that are experienced remain legitimate and should not be overlooked.
Sometimes, the winter gloominess seeps into not only one’s mental state, but into academic performance as well. Students have reported sleeping more as the winter progresses, with shorter days, less light exposure, and the unwillingness to leave the house contributing to a sense of stagnation. Due to these factors, Williams mentioned decreased motivation towards academics and increased difficulty keeping up with the workload in the second semester. However, we must note that most students are dealing with similar struggles. Especially since the weather is not on our side, it is important to take it easy on yourself and take measures to avoid burnout and low mood.
Staying Optimistic in the Winter
In order to make the most of the time spent indoors, students suggested various activities and rituals. Williams stressed the importance of creating “cosy spaces, where you can happily spend time indoors”. Similarly, Jansen emphasised building up your own little “comfort space”, which she managed to do by adding “cute little lights in [her] room and a lot of blankets and hot cocoa”. Williams also mentioned making time for activities that “give you comfort”: he started watching more films, “just because you can’t count on the weather [to give you comfort] anymore”. Students also emphasised the importance of maintaining social connections during the winter. Activities to do with friends were varied: Huang has a preference for having “nice baking session[s]” to prevent the gloomy weather from coming indoors. Williams’ tea times with friends, during which afternoons are spent together to warm up, also offer comfort. Jansen mentioned cooking “erwtensoep (pea soup)” – a Dutch delicacy while organizing indoor gatherings throughout winter. This keeps her in touch with friends, elevating her mood and making her feel connected to a close community. She also noted the importance of checking up on friends to make sure that everyone feels supported throughout the winter. By creating cosy environments indoors, it is possible to minimise the harsh effects of the winter and create fun memories instead.
Venturing Into the City
Although it is tempting to stay warm inside in one’s room or the library and avoid the harsh outdoors altogether, it is crucial to keep a balance between time spent indoors and outside. “Going outside, doing something, really helps. Because otherwise, 5 p.m. will feel like 10 p.m. and your days are just nothing,” Jansen explained. Miguel Klein, a second-year Humanities major, also noted that not getting out of Science Park for weeks contributed to his low mood.
One way to break out of the physical and mental bubble is to take advantage of what the magnificent city of Amsterdam has to offer. Incorporating exciting activities can add brightness to days that may otherwise blur together. Some suggested low-hurdle outdoor activities to switch up the routine include:
- Taking a walk to marvel at the Christmas lights on the streets
- Going to the UvA library in the city center or a nice cafe to study
- Getting a museum card and visiting different museums
- Watching a film at a cinema – maybe even a full-day marathon, exploring theatres around the city
- Attending Wednesday lunch concerts at the Concertgebouw
- Getting delicious take-out food on Javastraat
Klein stressed the importance of prioritising these activities even when there is a lot of work to do: “[Going outside] will cost you some willpower at first, but your mental health will thank you in March when the first crocuses bloom,” he emphasizes.
But even without much conscious effort, winter in the Netherlands has many highlights to look forward to. Oliebollen stands, which sell delicious doughnut-like pastries, magically appear in the winter months to brighten up residents’ days. “It makes you feel so cosy, gezellig, and nostalgic,” recounted Huang fondly. Moreover, Christmas markets filled with festivity open in December, where students can rediscover the charms of winter. “I’m a big fan of Christmas Markets,” Huang commented, “so I try to go to some to see [that] it’s actually really joyful beyond the grayness.” She also suggested putting up Christmas lights at home and playing “nice jolly Christmas songs” to cheer up and romanticise the winter.
Support Systems
Despite the depressing weather, there are opportunities for enjoyment and for making warm memories. As Jansen says, “we also have good winter days,” when the sun still comes out. It already snowed a little in November, so perhaps we can look forward to snow covering Amsterdam in the upcoming months.
It’s important to remember that there are support systems in place to help students through the difficult winter times. The Student Life Officers are available to offer guidance, and Peer Support is always willing to chat. Peer Support’s digital care package for seasonal affective disorder can be found at the end of the article. In the words of Williams, “don’t freak out about it, but keep your expectations very low,” and the winter can still be nice. “Don’t expect to see the sun, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun time.”
The Herring 