Take advantage of any student and youth discounts you can get. Yeah, I realize this is kind of silly advice, but I’m always surprised by how many teens I meet who haven’t bothered look through their Youth Card catalog (and thus missed that, for example, our local movie theater gives them discounted rates every day of the week, aaagh!)
Things have changed! In most parts of the UK we can now get around 20 free digital channels (and many more digital radio channels) via the rooftop antenna - all that’s required is a “digibox”, that retails for about $30 for the cheaper models.
Wooo! I think a Mini Welcome Dopefest may be in order, no? You can find a load of other former and current BritDopers at NADS.
You know, I really am wondering if there is a “one in, one out” rule going on…
Not to me-1/2 a lager fills me up for the evening…<realizes she has just disqualified herself from any and all pub crawls in future>
Learn to like Nutella. (what’s not to like?)
My take on Brit weather is layers and an umbrella or hood. But, I’ve never been there later than the last week in October.
Yay, more studenty Dopers in the UK!
When’s the next London DopeFest, eh?
Perhaps we should have an Oxford one.
In London traffic !?
Seriously London has some of the most awkward traffic in the western world. I wouldn’t recomend a bike unless you are really confident of your skills and awareness, or are only going to use it rarely and away from central London.
But that’d involve going to Oxford. 
Seriously though, a BritDopeFest before I leave for foreign climes would be good.
Seconded. And make it London, please? Pretty please?
Well, I’m a dick and I’d just ride on the pavement.
That’s DRAUGHT Guinness not the bottled stuff
…and get yourself hit with a fine :dubious:
Make sure you have an oyster card! Mayor Ken has made it very pricey to travel on single paper tickets. You’ll need to live here for a bit to whether it’s worth it to buy weekly or monthly travel cards.
Flash your student card everywhere! One of my more happy surprises was getting 10% off at subway (But I’m sad!).
All the major museums are free (Science, Natural History, V & A, British).
I know jimm said to avoid Oxford Street and Tottenham Court road but I am biased having lived there for 6 months on a very tight budget. There are loads of books stores where you can sit and read for ages (or until they kick you out!) and I went to many a movie premiere to watch the celebs stroll by in Leicester Square. Being a cute girl ( 
) I also was allowed into many of the clubs nearby for free.
I’d really suggest buying a copy of Timeout every week they have loads of events including free stuff. They also have a yearly “cheap eats” book which is full of tips.
If you like live music (or corny tv shows) check out Applause Store they give away free tickets to various tv tapings in London including The Album Chart Show which i’ve been going to for a year now. I’ve seen loads of bands for free ncluding Snow Patrol, Razorlight, Lily Allen, The Streets, Richard Ashcroft, and loads more. It’s shot in a small venue in camden so it feels very intimate.
Where exactly are you living? Might help in terms of cool places to hang out and visit.
Good lord, don’t get a bike until you’ve been there quite a while and accustomed yourself to the traffic patterns! It’s especially dangerous for Americans who are used to traffic on the other side of the road. And be sure to look the proper way when you cross the street! During the summer tourist season, I had to ship at least two smooshed Americans per month home in boxes when I worked in London. It’s easy to forget - especially after a couple of beers.
Ok, I’m done channeling **Surly Mom ** now. Have fun!
Buy a hipflask. London pubs are insanely expensive.
Only if you try to buy beer in the major tourist spots.
Speaking of beer, a few of us are getting together on the 21st October. Anyone interested?
If it’s in the evening, I’m definitely game - but I have classes all day, unfortunately.
Congrats! That’s so freakin’ cool. I want to live in Europe so bad.
I started dating a girl who lived in my residence hall about a week after I started at the University of Arizona. I never had any problems with it, but then, I wasn’t cheating. (She was, so I guess she was pretty smooth. I mean, we lived in different (connected, and grouped into the same residence hall) buildings, so I guess it’s possible.) Anyway, when people say not to date people in your residence hall, I assume they’re cheaters and I ignore whatever other advice they give. That’s just me, though.
Man, I wish I had the money to fly there! My ex has free plane tickets anywhere she wants around the world and she never uses them. I’m so jealous!
Which campus are you at? Because my cunning money-saving suggestion is that most of the central london campuses are within easy walking distance of all the good stuff. Buy an A-Z, a pair of comfy boots and some good hiking socks and you will not only save a fortune but get to know central London really well.
And if you need a cheap night out, I highly recommend Samuel Smiths pubs, where you can get a pint for about £1.80. The Lyceaum will accommodate your beery needs…
The Natural History Museum is free? Was it always?