Written by Leah Howard, Law BA
Having lived in London for ten years - including the last two years as a student - I have come to feel very at home in London. I can navigate my way around the tube without Google Maps (usually…), I have visited way too many overpriced food markets and I have probably been in most areas at least once. Slowly, but surely, I have grown to consider myself somewhat of a London ‘expert’ and hope to debunk some of the myths you may hear and fear before you move
"You'll be lonely in such a big city."
A common myth about London is that you will feel lonely. It is of course, normal to feel lonely at times, especially when moving out for the first time and moving to such a big city. But there are many activities and community projects to get involved in, helping you build up a new network of trusted people and sense of community quickly. Whether it be taking part in a local volunteering project (check out our Volunteering Directory to find hand-picked opportunities near you), gardening at your local park (most parks have signs looking for volunteers), or even walking some neighbour’s dogs (check out the BorrowMyDoggy app!), getting involved will all help with getting to know the area you live in better. Before you know it, you’ll have familiar faces in your local area and feel much more at home. Plus, there are lots of fun things to explore alone in London: why not pay the Tate or Barbican a visit? General admission is free to a majority of London’s biggest museums and most also have youth memberships (e.g. Tate Collective) for 16-25s with tickets for special exhibitions reduced to £5.
"London universities have no sense of community."
London universities do not offer the same sense of community to smaller campus universities? Wrong – that’s where your Union comes in! Students’ Union UCL has over 300 societies to get involved in, ranging from sports activities to arts and crafts and much more to help you meet like-minded people and discover new interests. Our volunteering and job opportunities (advertised on the JobShop) are also worth checking out. Even just by studying in our spaces or working out in our gym, you’ll be surrounded by others in your position – never be afraid to strike up a conversation!
"London is very expensive as a student."
There is some truth to this ‘myth’, however, there are many ways to live affordably in London, especially as a student. Here are a few tips:
- Most places offer student discount with apps such as Unidays and StudentBeans. It is always worth asking in addition to the official schemes! It is also worth signing up for your local supermarket’s loyalty scheme and check out apps such as Olio and TooGoodToGo for free and discounted food.
- If you’re feeling like a break from studying, both the BFI Southbank and Barbican cinema also offer youth memberships for under-25s that are free to join and can get you access to cinema tickets for only £3 to £5. Alternatively, the DICE app is useful for discovering free gigs and events happening all across London daily and enjoy free cocktails at pubs and bars with the DUSK app.
- Students’ Union UCL has spaces on campus with affordable prices. The cafes, bars, gym and shop are all built for students – meaning you can grab a coffee for under £2 and sign up for a gym membership without breaking the bank.
- Finally: make sure to link your 16-25 railcard to an oyster card to get 30% off off-peak travel.
"It always rains in London!"
From 1961 to 1990, on average per year, Greenwich was submerged in 585.8mm of rain. Rome, on the other hand, got some 813.8mm a year, on average, over the same period. London is drier than Rome. What more needs to be said? With this summer’s heatwave still fresh in our minds, it seems more appropriate to remind you to wear your SPF in London. But do pack an umbrella for the occasional rainy day come autumn - and it's no lie that Londoners love making small talk/complaining about the weather, either...
"There are no green spaces in London."
Depending on the area you live in, you might not see much green when you step outside your door – I’m thinking of my morning walks through King’s Cross … Yet green spaces are never far away. On campus, Gordon, Tavistock, and Russell Square are great options to take a quick break from library study sessions or after lectures, and Regent’s Park is at most a 15-minute walk away – note that that’s coming from a very slow walker! And if you have a commute from King’s Cross to Camden, why not walk along Regent’s canal instead? Following Regent’s Canal to the east of London, for example all the way to Victoria Park, is highly recommendable too. Finally, for students living in North London, Hampstead Heath is an absolute lifeline, offering ponds to swim in and some hills to ‘climb’ with a great view of London for free! And if you feel like a real escape one weekend, why not get the district line or overground to Richmond and pay the deer and parakeets in Richmond Park a visit.
