Yes, I am quite excited. Bear with me while I squeal and squirm a little.
It’s my sixth day in the city and at King’s College (Oxford didn’t want me). This place is even cooler than I thought it would be. No touristy stuff yet - that I’ll leave for later, I think. The only thing I take issue with so far is the price of living here. Already within my first three days I had blown about 200 pounds cash on just random school stuff - a couple rounds of drinks, a school jersey, society membership fees, and two taxi rides. I really should keep a close eye on the money.
I’ve only attended a paltry three social functions so far (it’s college after all, so there’s at least two or three going on every night) and I’ve met more people from more diverse backgrounds than anywhere else I’ve been (a tally off the top of my head from one party: pretty much all of continental Europe, Scandinavia, freaking Trinidad/Tobago, India/Pakistan, Kenya and Iran) I’ve only attended one class so far - it’s the first day - and I’ve got two others coming up in an hour or so.
But so many things to get used to! It’s not my first time at a university - but this time everyone is so fucking intelligent that in some deep, dark recess of my mind, I think I’m actually glad I wasn’t accepted at Oxford. Whatever lurks there other than that gladness I’ll just have to deal with when I have time for psychotherapy. Right now I’m working on actually going out a bit more and getting to know people before the schoolwork starts piling on and I become confined to my room in my spare time.
I’m not here just to ramble at the hamsters and the one bored Doper who has managed to make is this far into the post (a true friend! I offer you my siblings in marriage and/or indentured servitude!) though - I do want whatever advice/tips the Teeming Millions can offer on living here - where to go, what (not) to do, how to be prudent enough with my money that I won’t leave the next six generations of my offspring in debt that kind of thing. Also, while I understand that the prevailing wisdom is that one should not date one’s neighbours at the college residence, can exceptions be made for special cases when, for example the level of (yummy, brainy) hotness is, to put it mildly, waaaay off the fucking charts?
Join the club. I’m currently at Queen Mary, and I just had an interesting first day. Most interesting. And yes, very international. I have an Egyptian, a Columbian, a Nigerian and Irish, Welsh and Pakistani classmates. I’m Indian, so that adds one more. Only one solitary Englishman. Right now I have to run to volleyball trials, so I’ll keep an eye on this thread for advice.
If you travel a lot (and you probably will) you can get a discounted Oyster Card when you prove your student credentials. I think it’s about one-third off. Ask in your student union about it and they’ll likely have the forms to fill out.
Cabs will bleed you dry-the Tube is a wonderful thing. The British don’t think so, but they haven’t suffered through Amercian public transport, so what do they know?
Look for cheap deals on take away. Learn to like water and use the funds for pubs, not pop etc. Can you have a hot plate in your dorm room (or the equivalent?)-that would help loads. Do smart laundry.
Then again-you’re in freakin’ UK; you’re young; blow the money! Date the girl (bloke?) and have the time of your life…
Yes, I totally agree with eleanorigby. Give up pop (if you drink it). What’s the point of that nonsense? Buy one large Evian bottle then refill it from the tap. Will save you a fortune.
(This is nothing to do with London, btw, I’ve just got a prejudice against pop.)
I was at Kings for 6 years, doing Maths and Physics (and trying to do a PhD). What are you taking?
Look out for good value lunch meals in China Town and at the LSE canteen. London is a fantastic place to be a student, make use of time off during the daytme to walk arround and get the lay of the area arround KCL.
If it is like my time there (17 years ago-11 years ago ish) then you’ll have to find your own lodging for the second and third year. Bare this in mind and find a good group whom you can share an appartment with for year 2 and 3. (it’s a way off, but you’ll be making friends mostly now, so don’t brush off anyone who is boring, as they may be perfect shared rents if they are quiet and keep to themselves).
Drink the tap water. It’s perfectly safe over there, and remarkably un-foul-tasting.
Learn to deal with a distinct lack of televisual variety. There are only five channels, unless you’ve got satellite or cable, which I’m guessing is not a budgeting priority.
Don’t take the taxi. Use the Tube, or the bus if it’s a shorter trip.
Buy a bicycle.
Get a very large, very warm coat. It can get surprisingly chilly even in the south of England in the winter (as cold as -15 degrees C on rare occasions).
Learn to use a fountain pen. It’s one of life’s little joys, and you can get a serviceable one for a few pounds at WHSmith or the uni bookshop.
