5 things to do in your first month as an international student in London
Arriving in London as an international student will likely be one of the most exciting moments of your life. But it can also be an overwhelming experience, as it’s likely that you’re conscious of ensuring you make the most out of your new life as a student in the capital.
To help you with the transition, we’ve rounded up 5 things you can do in your first month to help you get settled into London life.
Prepare for the weather
It’s no secret that Brits love talking about the weather. And after you’ve been here for a few months, you’ll understand why!
It’s a good idea to get clothes that will help you live comfortably in a city where it can be raining one minute and beaming sunshine five minutes later, as soon as possible.
The autumn and winter months can be cold in London, so investing in some warm clothes, a waterproof jacket, and an umbrella is wise.
When it comes to the spring and summer, it can be warm in the daytime right through to the evening, so having some lighter clothing options is vital too.
Another tip is to always check the weather forecast before you head out. It may look sunny outside when you head out, but it could be raining half an hour later!
Research student travel discounts
As a Londoner, you’ll have the London Underground (AKA, the ‘tube’), day-to-night bus services, Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Uber Boats and bikes all on your doorstep.
One of the cheapest ways you can get around as a student is to get an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. Basically, students 18 or over living in a London borough are eligible for discounted travel if they have an Oyster photocard, which allows you to buy a discounted travelcard. You can apply for one easily on the TfL website.
We’d also recommend getting a 16-25 railcard for discounted tickets on national trains. That way, you’ll be able to see more of the UK with a third off the train ticket prices!
Ask for student deals
Not everywhere that has a student discount advertises it. Once you start asking, “do you offer student discount here?”, you may be surprised at just how many shops, bars, restaurants and venues offer students money off.
It’s worth getting a ‘Totum’ card (formerly an NUS card) and UNiDAYS account on top of your standard university student card, to get access to more discounts across the city.
Many of the students we’ve talked to through our dedicated International Student Services offering have asked us about gym discounts for students in London, as this can often be a hefty monthly expense.
Firstly, we would recommend checking out what your university offers. University gyms are often subsidised for their students and sometimes offer free classes and open days too. Your university may also have a partnership deal with a nearby gym for its students.
If not, we’d also recommend looking at Fitness4Less, Puregym, Easygym, and The Gym Group, all of which offer budget-friendly memberships for students all year round.
Check out local libraries
Aside from your university library, it’s worth researching some other libraries around the city you can work from for free. This can help to give your study sessions some variety and also ensure you have another peaceful place to work from if your university library is full on some days.
There are plenty of beautiful libraries you can work from for free in London.The National Art Library at the Victoria & Albert Museum, one of the most beautiful libraries in London, is on Beaumont House’s doorstep (less than 20 minutes away by tube).
Kensington Central Library, less than 15 minutes away by tube from our building, is another beautiful, peaceful place to study.
Get familiar with your route home
Not all public transport is open 24/7 in London, so it’s worth getting familiar with the routes you take regularly. The London Underground generally runs between 5am and midnight, so this is something to keep this in mind if you’re planning to go out in the evening.
Having a ride-hailing app like Uber, Bolt, or FREENOW downloaded to your phone before you go out is another way to ensure you’ll be able to get home safely, wherever you are in the city, and whatever time you decide to go home.
Saying this, there are plenty of bus lines that operate through the night, so it’s worth checking them out via the TfL app or an app like Citymapper. This can help you save some money, compared to a private cab ride.
Either way, it’s worth trying to memorise some key routes, such as your route to and from university to your accommodation, just in case you run out of battery or don’t have a signal on your phone and need to get home. This way, if you remember your address or the street routes nearby, you could get money out from a cash point and hail a black cab to get home safely.
To check room availability in our beautiful building, or to find out more about living here, contact us or give us a call at +44 (0)203 195 3214.
