By Hana Mougharbel, Welfare and Community Officer.
On Sunday 26 October, the clocks go back an hour (hello, extra sleep and goodbye to longer evenings of sunshine). While the time change might feel like a small seasonal shift, it’s also the moment to start thinking about how to keep yourself safe as daylight hours get shorter.
For some of us, this will be the first time experiencing the UK’s winter time change (this means early sunsets and chilly afternoons). It can creep up on you quickly, but with a few small adjustments, you can feel both safe and well this winter.
Get Home Safely
When the sun sets before your 17:00 lecture ends, it pays to plan ahead.
- Stick to bright, busier routes when walking home from campus or a night out.
- Share your location with friends or use tracking apps to look out for each other.
- Use night tube or night bus services - they’re there to get you home safely, no matter how late.
- Download SafeZone, UCL’s free personal safety app. You can call UCL Security or request help with just one tap - and if you’re off campus, the app alerts emergency services for you.
Stay Visible and Stay Warm
Your winter aesthetic can totally include staying safe. Layer up, grab a reflective accessory if you’re cycling or walking, and keep your essentials like charged phone, keys, and travel card close.
Cyclists, check your lights (it’s the law to have both front and back on after dark). You can grab student discounts on bike gear around campus or nearby shops.
Look after yourself
London is busy and sometimes unpredicatable. The darker months can also impact your mood.
- Catch some daylight every day - even a quick walk between lectures helps.
- Keep your social life alive by joining a club, head to an event, or have a low-key night in with friends. Check out the What's On Calendar to find your next event.
- Keep an eye on your surroundings, especially when using your phone near stations or main roads like Gordon Street and Gower Street. Find advice on phone snatching and how to avoid it here.
- Try to walk with friends at night and let someone know your route.
- Don’t leave your stuff unattended in cafés, libraries, or study spaces.
Check out UCL's full guide on staying safe on campus. - And if things start to feel heavy, reach out early. Student Support and Wellbeing and our Advice Service are here for you, no matter what.
The clocks going back isn’t just about changing the time - it’s your cue to reset your routine. Stay safe, look out for each other, and find the little moments that make autumn and winter feel good.
Support
- Use UCL’s Report + Support tool to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct, either anonymously or with your contact details.
- UCL's Support and Wellbeing Services team offers confidential services to help you navigate difficult experiences. All our support services are open to students of all levels. For 24/7 support, you can call our Support Line on +44 (0)808 238 0077 to speak with an adviser.
- Nightline are a listening service for students, by students - they're available overnight on 020 7631 0101.
- Samaritans offers a 24-hour confidential emotional support service, by phone 116 123. You can find similar listening and support services wherever you are in the world through the Befrienders Worldwide network.