Planning for student life in London
If you’re soon to be heading to London to start life at university then you’re sure to be a mix of emotions. You’re bound to be nervous and maybe a little worried about the whole thing, but a big part of you should be incredibly excited. London is one of the best cities in the world in which to live, and here are some important things to remember if you’re planning for life in the Big Smoke as a student…
Find Where All The Relevant University Buildings Are
First and foremost you’re in London to study so you need to find out where all of your relevant university buildings are as soon as possible. London is a pretty big place and the buildings may be dotted around the place depending on which university you’re going to. The last thing you want to do is be panicking on the morning of your first lecture about where you need to go.
Understand the transport system
London is awash with various ways to get around and it’s important you understand which methods of transport work for you to get where you need to be. Probably the best way of getting around is via the Tube and if you get an Oyster Card then it’s easy and relatively inexpensive to hop on and off. Oyster Cards can also be used on most buses, whilst there is never a shortage of taxis or you can even try a Boris Bike to get around.
Sort out your Accommodation
One of the most important issues is where you’re going to live. You don’t want to spend ages worrying about where you’re living; you want to get settled in as soon as possible so you can spend your time getting to know London and focus on your course. There is a huge selection of student housing in London to suit most budgets, with that from Urbanest being some of the best we’ve seen, so you should be able to find somewhere to live without too many problems.
Budget your money
It’s important that you use your money wisely whilst you’re studying or you could end up being a little short towards the end of term. London has so much to do in the way of shopping, entertainment and nightlife so it can be tempting to splurge your money quickly. Work out a weekly budget you can afford and separate it out into the different things you need, such as food, bills, uni equipment, etc, but of course leave yourself a little to spend if you can. You might also want to save a little too, in case of emergencies.
Find out some of the best places to go
London is a cultural minefield in the sense that there is just so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming. Try and do some research on some of the best places to go for food, drinks, entertainment, sightseeing, etc, so you’re never wondering what to do and where to go. Timeout has some excellent London guides giving you an insight into some of the lesser known treasures the Capital has to offer.
