21 December 2022

The holidays are almost here and that means a period without teaching and for some students, a time of fewer opportunities to meet up with one another. With this in mind, there are a few things we’d like to mention before you start enjoying the holiday celebrations.

Activities

Particularly at this time of the year we want to emphasise the importance of not being alone, of reaching out to one another, including online, and staying in touch. This mail includes some ideas for how to get – and stay – in touch with other students.   

Contact

Do you want to come into contact with others during the holiday? Do you you need a listening ear or need urgent help? This page gives an overview of ways to get in touch. 

Leiden University’s Winter Weeks

Come and join the Leiden University’s Winter Weeks in both Leiden and The Hague. A great way to have fun during the festive holiday season! Between 19 December and 9 January, you can take part in various fun activities for free. You and your fellow students can join activities or just get together to enjoy delicious food (we see you, Foodies!). There’s plenty to choose from:  a pub quiz, skating, winter walks, creative workshops, an escape room, Christmas lunch, and an ‘oliebol’ walk (yes, those scrumptious Dutch-type donuts) on New Year’s Eve. There are great things to do almost every day! Check the programme here! 

Other options? Check the Uni-Life app! 

Download Uni-Life and learn more about activities planned during the holiday break. Maybe you’ll find a fun event or a friendly student association that you hadn’t heard of before. You can also build a community with other students who share the same interests as you. Download the app and find out more about the different initiatives! The app gives a great overview of the many social activities taking place throughout the year.   

Listening ear 

The University will be closed from 24 December – 1 January. For study-related questions, you can get in touch with your study adviser again after the holidays.

If you need a listening ear, get in touch with our colleagues from Rapenburg100. 

• Phone no: 071 - 744 0168 
• Available daily (7 days a week) between 16.00-18.00 – 20.00-22.00 
• Including over the holidays!  

Urgent help 

• If you need urgent help, including psychological support, you should contact your general practitioner. Outside office hours, you can contact the GP medical centres in Leiden and The Hague. 
• If you don’t have a general practitioner, you can find more information here about how to find a doctor. 
• In an emergency or a life-threatening situation, call 112. 
• If you have suicidal feelings, call 113, chat on 113.nl, or contact your country's help centre.

And in 2023…?

Throughout the whole year, Leiden University offers a range of different activities. Keep your eye on the Student well-being website for all the different ways of meeting other students, accessing sources of help within the university, and joining various events and workshops. You can also sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date on what’s going on.