cucumber slices or cold tea bags (something about the tannic acid seems to help) -- just lie back and rest them on your closed eyes (this might be more for puffiness though)
Your foundation degree sounds interesting. My son starts college in a couple of weeks taking Fundamentals of Art and Design. It's only a year long course but it may help him decide if he wants to go into teaching, art therapy, or just starve in a garret while painting