By
Adrian
Posted 1 week ago
Wed 20 May, 2026 12:05 AM
The current spell of unseasonably hot weather is unusual for May. The Met Office has reported temperatures in parts of London reaching the low to mid-30s °C, with a provisional new UK spring and May temperature record at Kew Gardens.
Hot weather can affect sleep, concentration, mood, appetite and energy. Taking a few practical steps will help you stay comfortable and reduce the risk of becoming unwell.
The University’s approach to wellbeing is about helping students feel equipped to manage the challenges that form part of university life, including changes in health, environment and daily routine.
Keep yourself cool
Try to stay out of direct sun between 11am and 3pm, when the day is usually hottest. The NHS advises staying in the shade, wearing light clothing, using sunscreen, wearing a hat, and avoiding exercise or activity that makes you hotter during the hottest part of the day.
Drink regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is best. Cold drinks, ice lollies, cold fruit and lighter meals can help. Go easy on alcohol and caffeine, as they can make dehydration more likely.
Cool your skin directly. A cool shower, damp flannel, wet towel around your neck, or cool water on your wrists can lower your body temperature. You can also dampen a T-shirt or use a spray bottle of water.
Keep your room cooler
Keep curtains or blinds closed when the sun is on your window. This is often more useful than opening the window while the air outside is hotter than the air inside.
Use cooler parts of the day to refresh the room, usually early morning, evening and overnight. Keep doors closed during the hottest part of the day if the corridor is warmer than your room, and open them briefly when it helps air move through safely.
A fan can help if used well. Place it near the window in the evening to draw in cooler air, or place a bowl of cold water or ice in front of it for a short cooling effect. Do not leave electrical items running unattended if they are not designed for that use.
Keep lights and electrical equipment off when you are not using them. Laptops, games consoles, chargers and lamps all add heat to a small room.
Sleep and study
Heat can make sleep harder. Before bed, take a cool or lukewarm shower, use light bedding (consider using just your duvet cover, instead of the whole duvet), wear loose cotton clothing, and keep water nearby. A damp cloth on your neck or forehead can help you settle.
Plan study around the heat. Use cooler parts of the day for harder work. During peak heat, use shaded communal spaces, libraries, cafés or other cooler indoor spaces where available. Build in short breaks. Heat makes concentration harder, so adjust expectations and pace yourself.
Look out for heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion can include headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of appetite, feeling sick, excessive sweating, pale clammy skin, cramps, fast breathing or pulse, high temperature, and intense thirst.
Move the person somewhere cooler. Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly. Give them water or a rehydration drink if they can drink. Cool their skin with water, a fan, cool packs, or damp cloths.
Heatstroke is an emergency. Call 999 if someone is still unwell after 30 minutes of cooling, has a very high temperature, feels hot but is not sweating, has a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusion, a fit, or loss of consciousness.
NHS resources
Check in with each other
Hot weather affects people differently. Take extra care if you have a long-term health condition, take medication that affects hydration or temperature regulation, are pregnant, have recently been unwell, or are fasting.
Check on flatmates and friends, especially anyone who seems withdrawn, confused, unusually tired, or unwell. Share fans and cooler spaces fairly. Keep communal kitchens clean and safe, as food spoils faster in hot weather.
Stay cool, drink regularly, slow down during the hottest hours, and ask for help early if you feel unwell.
