8 December 2025

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 season.

Activities

Particularly at this time of the year we want to emphasize 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 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 21 December and 2 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:  playing boardgames, bouldering, creative workshops, 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! 

Listening ear

The University will be closed from 24 December - 2 January. For study-related questions, you can get in touch with your study adviser again after the holidays. You can call the Listening Line anonymously, day or night, all days of the week, all year round. Because talking makes you feel better. When you are hurting or worrying about something; when you feel alone or happy. The Listening Line gives you that extra bit of support.

If you need a listening ear, get in touch with the Luisterlijn 

• Phone no: 08 8076 7000
• Available daily (24/7). Including over the holidays!  
• De Luisterlijn conducts conversations in Dutch. If a volunteer wants to and can, the conversation may be conducted in another language, but that is up to the volunteer.
• More information about helplines abroad can be found on IFOTES.

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 a GP close to where you live. 
• 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.