Resources for UCF Students, Faculty, Staff During Holidays

There can be many expectations on what the holiday season should look like. For some, difficult memories or feelings can be associated with this time of year, while for others, joy may be prevalent all season long.

If holiday noise is causing elevated stress or feelings of loneliness, you are not alone. According to a November 2025 American Psychiatric Association poll, nearly half of adults (48%) said they are worried about missing someone or grief, and 46% said they are worried about affording or finding holiday gifts. Nearly one in three adults is worried about dealing with challenging family dynamics (32%) or being lonely (31%).

"There is no right or wrong way to experience this time of year," says Kayla Beswick '16 '18MA, a licensed counselor for UCF CAPS, who earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in marriage, couple and family therapy. "I try to encourage my clients to reflect on what the holidays are to them, not what others expect it to be."

Beswick shares these three tips for navigating the holidays:

Self-Care

• Find connection.

Connection can come in many forms. If you can't be with loved ones this year, maybe connection looks giving back to your community or a cause that is important to you; maybe that means reconnecting with yourself and truly giving yourself the time and opportunity to do so.

While we may not be able to be physically present with loved ones, connection in other forms still counts, and we may need to adjust our expectations with what we are able to realistically do. Phone calls, writing letters or doing an activity that you would normally do together can be ways of emotionally connecting to people when they are not physically present.

Remember, you can make the holiday season be what you want it to be.

• Be curious and trust your inner voice.

Ask yourself where the stress is coming from. If it comes from an outside source, then give yourself permission to listen to what is inside, what you want to feel and what you need during this time of year.

• Be aware of roadblocks.

Sometimes it can be difficult to open up to others or be honest with ourselves. If you're noticing this roadblock, it could be helpful to be in a space that is completely judgement free and allows for pure self-expression. Often the thought, "here we go again" can be a sign that some additional accountability or a different way of perceiving things may be helpful. If it feels like your usual methods of coping are no longer working, you want guidance to make changes, or even just reflect, therapy would be the perfect space.

Moreover, distress is not a requirement for counseling. Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve themselves or spend time reflecting on their life experience. Being a human can be tough and beautiful at the same time, so why not understand yourself better to enhance your relationships, life goals and experience?

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988. Free, confidential counseling is available 24/7 for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or simply available for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

It's important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources at UCF and locally to help you:

Students

• UCF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS offers a free 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached by calling 407-823-2811 and pressing 5 during the holiday campus closure. CAPS will be open and available for drop-in services starting Jan. 5, and resume its typical mental health services to students on Jan. 12.
• Therapy Assistance Online (TAO): TAO is a self-guided interactive program that aids with managing anxiety, depression and other concerns.
• Togetherall: Togetherall is a peer-to-peer space to connect with others experiencing similar feelings in a supportive environment, with trained professionals on hand 24/7.

Faculty and Staff

• The UCF Employee Assistance Program offers a 24-hour emergency hotline and in-person, telephonic or video counseling with licensed professional counselors. It is confidential and free to all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees) as well as their eligible family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law.

Safety

UCF police officers and dispatchers are available 24/7, even when campus is closed. Always dial 911 in an emergency. UCFPD personnel are also available at the non-emergency line at . All UCFPD officers are trained in crisis intervention, equipping them to more compassionately and effectively respond to those who may be struggling.

Food Resources

Knights Helping Knights Pantry is closed through Jan. 11, 2026, and will reopen Jan. 12 when classes resume for the spring semester. Care bags for UCF students can be found at UCF CARES and UCF Global during the closure. Additionally, the pantry has compiled a list of local food pantries in Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Orlando and Oviedo that can offer assistance.

Free Holiday Fun

As one of the world's premier tourist destinations, Orlando has endless entertainment options, including opportunities to get in the festive spirit without causing financial stress and maxing out your bank account.

• Lake Eola's Winter Wonderland (downtown Orlando): Now through January 6, you can find holiday-themed light installations, a holiday market, "snow" fall, Santa and Grinch sightings, musical performances, occasional free holiday movies and more.
• Phillips Center's Frontyard Holiday Festival (downtown Orlando and home to UCF Celebrates the Arts): Running weekly through Jan. 4, 2026, the arts center's three-acre lawn - including Seneff Arts Plaza - will come alive with more than 80 live performances, twinkling light displays, fire pits, nightly snowfalls and family-friendly activities.
• Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll: Experience some Disney magic without theme park costs. Disney Springs (which has free parking) boasts more than 15 elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney characters, Pixar films and theme park favorites, nightly entertainment and festive window shopping.
• Holiday Friday Nights at Morse Museum: Receive free admission every Friday evening, 4-8 p.m., through December, and special live musical performances during the holiday season.
• Surfing Santas (Cocoa Beach): A holiday spectacle that is uniquely Florida, Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers of all ages dressed up as Santa, elves, snowmen and everything else in between. This free morning event Dec. 24 is family friendly with entertainment including musical performances, Hawaiian dancers and of course, surfing Santas.

Additional Support for Students

It's also worth noting, additional support for students is available when campus operations resume in January. Student Care Services serves as a vital resource for students encountering unexpected challenges that may impact their enrollment and academic success. If you are facing issues related to non-clinical mental health, basic needs, or other unforeseen circumstances, please contact Student Care Services by calling 407-823-5607, emailing [email protected], or submitting a Student of Concern form for yourself or a fellow Knight.

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