The London Student Survival Guide

Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash

Congrats, you’ve passed your A-levels and got into the uni of your choice! Now it’s time to get prepared for the big old move to the big smoke.

You’ve probably heard the horror stories about moving to London and how you probably won’t have as much fun as those who are going to a campus uni in the north somewhere. It’s wrong!

Going to uni in London is an experience like no other and as most of us here in the bySTORED office have been through it and loved it, we’ve put together some top tips on how to survive your first semester in the city.

Make a solid friendship group

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If you’ve moved to uni without your core group of friends from home then moving into uni halls and making a solid group of friend for freshers is going to be super key.

Having a group of people to help break that awkward ice at those first few freshers gatherings means you’re going to have much more fun and not feel the need to sink ten pints before you drunkenly go to speak to people.

They’ll become the ones you complain about lectures to, spend Sunday mornings hungover in the kitchen with and blow your student loans with on oxford street.

Get to grips with the transport system

Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash

London’s transport system is extensive! But, once you’ve got the hang of it, it can be one of the simplest and fastest ways of getting around.

Locate your nearest tube/train stop and figure out your route to uni/the SU and central London and after a couple of days you’ll be doing these commutes with your eyes shut!

Make sure you get a student travel card as it will save you around 20% a month on a full price one and allows you to use any transport in those zones!

Find a couple of bargain boozers and food spots

Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash

Eating and drinking in London can cost a fortune!

We found that the best way to survive at uni was not to be scared of happy hours, vouchers and other deals that you can use to save a bit of a cash.

Most bars will have a midweek happy hour offering 2-4-1 cocktails or half price food, so keep an eye out for those.

Also you can sign up to a number of websites such as www.savethestudent.org which update their site with all the latest deals and cheap offerings going on around the city for students.

Freshers Fair

It may seem like a boring event that every uni does but there’s actually some great finds there.

From a number of freebies, to discount cards and socials to sign up to you can not only get to know people but also walk away with a goodie bag full of stuff.

Try not to spend every weekend going home

You’ve come to university in one of the best cities in the world for culture, music, lifestyle so, make the most of it! There’s a whole host of events on every weekend to whet the appetite and it’s another way of creating friendships with people at uni, instead of being that kit that is never around!

This help? Comment below with any other tips you’ve got for surviving your first few months at uni in the big city.