Robbie Dale rounds up the end of term.

STUDENTS are splitting into two factions about now, each with very different thoughts about the impending holiday.

Excited Freshers will be grateful to escape back to home cooking, amazed that they've survived another ten weeks of university life unscathed.

The rest of the campus population are beginning a horrible month-long trial that will determine whether they clinch that graduate recruitment place at SupaSnaps. Free film processing, that sounds nice.

With it being the end of term, there isn't anything particularly exciting happening in the student world so it leaves me with a Herculean task to eke out some sensible prose this week.

In saying that, the irony is that this is probably the time when all those students left meandering round York by Aspen-bound families or the distinct idiocy of paying rent in two places at once, need a break from the books and a glimpse of a brighter life.

Here, then, are some recommendations as to how the student with work worries clouding their mind can relax in the city. You can't have failed to notice the river Ouse winding through York, but have you ever been for a look?

By that I'm not implying you jump in, but there are pathways along the river bank and even boats that will let you sail to your heart's content.

If that doesn't float your boat (come on), take a gentle stroll round the City Walls. It may sound less exciting than Student Union elections, but you can't live in York for three years without having a look. Add to that the Minster, the Museum Gardens and the possibility of drinking in a different pub at every meal time for the whole holidays (with plenty to spare), and you'll realise you really can break up your study time with some quiet, relaxing pursuits. Enjoy.

Updated: 09:03 Friday, March 19, 2004