London is a conglomerate of cultures and home to some of the best universities in the UK. Apart from getting a stellar education, you will also be able to enjoy the experience of your life.
Whatever you do, don’t just be academic, be adventurous and see the sights London has to offer to get the most out of your time there. But before you go, you had better get prepared well in-advance of your departure date.
Check out our top advice for really enhancing your London experience, here are a couple of useful things to know before departing.
1. Be Open Minded & Social
By studying in the UK you will get to meet people from all over the world, and also see how diverse London is as an international city.
Be open to new people and cultures, this way you will likely enjoy the experience more, have a better time and also make new friends. Try not to compare London to other places, especially if you are coming to study from the United States, as it is so different.
There are lots of social activities which are usually arranged through your college or uni, these offer a great way to meet new people. You could also do something rewarding for example, volunteering in London, which is a fun way to make friends.
2. Research Accommodation & Areas
London is a very large city and each borough is different. Central London where most universities are located can be very expensive in terms of accommodation, but sometimes it is better to stay close so you save time on commuting.
Not all the neighborhoods are the same and some are way more expensive than others. Do lots of research before you go and you will stand a better chance of finding cheap accommodation. If at all possible, try and find a student accommodation that you share with others so you can make new friends on arrival.
3. Know How to Get Around
London is a big city but it has an extensive transport network making getting around easy. Get a tube, rail and bus map or download an app like Citymapper which will turn out to be your best travel companion.
4. Budget & Discounts
London is expensive. Be aware of this before arriving. Accommodation, transport, entertainment can all add up. Try to work out a budget and this will help you to work out how much money you have to spend.
Be sure to carry a student ID at all times, this will not only help you to get you into university, it will also help you to get some amazing discounts.
Also look out for social events as there will almost always be complimentary drinks on offer. You could even carry a reusable bag with you for when you go shopping to save plastic use and also money (you have to pay for plastic bags in London).
5. Weather
If there is one thing that you should start to get used to is the cold, grey and wet weather which the UK is famous for even in summer.
6. Get Used to Walking
The subway public transport in London is superb, but you also pay a pretty penny for it all. Although the city is big, you should get used to walking as you will save plenty of money this way. Only use the subway as a last resort, or plan your routes carefully.
7. Remember to Study
Living in London can be amazing, there is so much to do and see. But always try to make time to study and do your essays and coursework on time. It is easy to get distracted. Teachers will be able to help you are there are also lots of forums with people offering advice.
8. Go to Pubs
England is famous for pubs and there are some of the oldest in the world located in London. Pubs are a social place to mingle with friends and enjoy time. Pubs are not like clubs, you will find people of all ages hanging out. The pub culture is amazing and you could become like a local if you don’t watch out.
9. Sample International Cuisine
The UK gets quite a bad reputation for food, but in London you can find cuisine from all the around the world. In areas like Soho there are some of the best restaurants in the world where you can get cheap eats and also more expensive world renounded resturantes.
10. Travel as Much as You Can
There aren’t many cities in the word which have such a rich history as London. You could spend weeks and months exploring all the areas are still not see everywhere. London also have fast transport connections to the rest of the UK, be sure to see as many places as possible. There are lots of amazing tours of Europe available too if you fancy seeing more of the continent.
You really won't regret making the decision to study in London and hopefully our tips will help you to prepare.
Have you ever been to study in London? Got any advice to share? Let us know in the comments section below.
