I know it’s not Christmas anymore, but ‘The Holiday’ is one of my favourite films, regardless of the season. The plethora of famous actors, the idealistic, unexpected romances and the beautiful soundtrack are just some of the things that make the watching experience so enjoyable. Some may say it belongs only to the dark winter nights, when you’re cocooned in a blanket, hot chocolate grasped in frigid hands, but I think the wholesome masterpiece belongs in any available 2-hour slot.

Every year from the 14th of November I begin an over-a-month-long rewatch of my favourite festive movies. Some I watch by myself, Some I watch with my friends some I watch on early December mornings with my dad and others I watch with my whole family. No matter who is joining me, I must watch this list of roughly 40 (and counting) Christmas films every year to feel I have completed the Christmas season. So here follows my completely unbiased list of the TOP FIVE FESTIVE FILMS to get you in the holiday spirit – even if you have mocks to prepare for.

I’m currently in the depths of US college admissions. Having submitted a few applications already and submitting a few more soon, I’d like to think that I will soon see the light at the end of this tunnel. As I’ve been going through all of this, I’ve had some time to reflect, and I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned along the way. Some of these were my own misconceptions, and others are things I hear from people around me all the time. Hopefully, this gives anyone who’s curious about applying a clearer picture of what the process is really like!