Welcome to the first ARU Reads Reddit: Festive Edition. 

Our presenter: Ellen, Student Engagement and Development 

Guests: Sheryl, Student Money Advice Service and Ben, iCentre Team Leader 

We read four reddit posts and help the OP asking the forum asking for advice. We’ll also highlight some support available at ARU, whilst deciphering what a peppermint candle is. 

If you have any thoughts or advice for the posters, please leave a comment below! 

Timestamps: 

0:00 : Intro 

01:42 : r/am I wrong? Not gifting a gift in return? 

Link: ⁠https://arul.ink/reddit-1⁠  

13:17 : r/Ask UK: Alone in The UK - places to go, things to do? Seems it's all closed down for the week 

Link: ⁠https://arul.ink/reddit-2⁠  

25:09 : r/Uni UK: Good Christmas presents for broke uni student? 

Link: ⁠https://arul.ink/reddit-3⁠  

35:50 : r/Uni UK: Planning a Christmas part at my flat with my uni friends – tips? 

Link: ⁠https://arul.ink/reddit-4⁠  

47:50 : Summary

Support: 

If you’re an ARU student needing support over the Christmas closure, find all the information here: ⁠Helpful links - Landing Page⁠ (⁠https://arul.ink/m/support-over-holidays⁠)

For any students remaining on campus looking for things to do over the holiday period, here’s a list of activities happening: 

• Students’ Union - Christmas Party, craft nights, visit: ⁠Christmas at the Students' Union⁠ (⁠https://www.angliastudent.com/news/article/union/Christmas-at-the-Students-Union/⁠)- Peer Mentors are holding wellbeing and hangout events - ARU - winter warm up events in Cambridge and Chelmsford - Yoga society is still holding classes over the holidays - Health and wellbeing service is open 

  
  

NHS advice for loneliness: ⁠Loneliness - Every Mind Matters - NHS⁠ (⁠https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness/⁠)

During the break, the libraries at Chelmsford and Cambridge are only closed on Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day). Before visiting, please check exact ⁠opening times on the library web pages⁠. (⁠https://library.aru.ac.uk/about/openhours.html⁠)   

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (⁠https://youtu.be/voVTpXF-rDc⁠)

Production: Hannah Gladwin
Sound recording and editing: Rowan James