6 Things To Consider When Travelling to a New City For University

The prospect of going to university is new and exciting, especially when you are travelling to a new city for higher education. Many students flock to new and exciting locations far from home when attending university. It sounds exhilarating at the time, but once the adrenaline has worn out, it can be quite daunting and scary. Attending university as a whole is a big commitment, especially when you are deciding to pack your bags and have a new home for 3 – 6 years. You need to get to know the city before you commit to your university, as this can make or break your experience.

In this blog post, we are going to share some of the most important considerations to make when travelling to a new city for university.Check out the following suggestions, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime:

1. Get to know the area before you arrive

Before you start living in the proximity of your university, make sure that you know the area and are fairly comfortable with your surroundings. A great way to do this is by attending your university’s open day. The open day will give you the chance to see the school’s facilities and also get a feel for the surrounding city and neighbourhood. Check out the closest transport links to the area, and figure out the best place to live near your uni of choice. This will not make you feel at home just yet, but it will ensure that you are not jumping into the unknown on your first day.

2. Understand the culture of the city

Each city has its own unique culture to take on board. For example, some cities might have a proud historical heritage, and others might be known for an energetic going-out culture with the hottest bars. Get a feel for what the culture in the city you are moving to is, and consider how you will feel about adopting this way of life. Student living is memorable, but keep in mind that if the going out scene is not for you, there are still some ways to meet friends for life.

3. Look through social media

Social media is a great place to get an idea of what your city of choice has to offer. Apps like Instagram and Facebook have a location feature so you can see what events people are attending in the area. It might also be a good opportunity to speak with existing students and ask them about their experience within the city, and any tips they could give you as a fresher.

4. Make the most of student discounts

Student discounts are the holy grail of student living. You can get some amazing discounts on anything from transport, to cups of coffee for when you are having an intense study session. Check out what local facilities offer student discounts, and which ones will mean the most to you when you are living in the area. This is especially important if you are attending university with a smaller budget, as you will need to save wherever possible. Students who are doing nursing degrees may also have access to NHS discounts once they begin training in the hospitals.

5. Be cautious of some areas

Unfortunately, there are some unsafe areas in many cities that new students should be aware of. Ask past students where they would recommend avoiding, and make sure you live somewhere that is known to be safe and student-friendly. This can not always be avoided if accommodation is scarce, however, it is good to know when to be most cautious when walking through this new city.

6. Dive into freshers’ events

Freshers’ events are different in every city, so the events that take place in your current home town will be completely different in this new city. Do your research on freshers events taking place during your first few weeks at university, and attend the occasions that interest you the most. For example, if there are events for netball lovers, be open to meeting new people and experiencing something new.

Bottom line

It can be daunting attending university as a fresher, especially when you are deciding to travel to a new city. Be brave, and make sure you have a surface-level understanding of the location you are moving to. You will get comfortable as time goes on, however, make the most of your time living by yourself and experiencing this new environment.