When you’re struggling with the daily expenses of studying in London, it can be hard to feel like you can treat yourself. Of course, there are plenty of Instagrammable cafes and expensive Pilates classes I could be going to but there are also plenty of free things I can do to look after myself mentally and physically! Here is my round up of fun activities you can try during each season:
Spring
This is the best time to start getting out after the winter cold. Try making a coffee at home and going for a walk around your local park or green areas. I like to window shop and there are an endless number of unique shops around Shoreditch, Sloane Square or Soho. You might even find a great bargain by thrifting in the many charity shops. To stay fit, try the Couch to 5k challenge which helps even the most useless of runners (me!) to start running. And if you’re not quite a beginner anymore, find the nearest ParkRun for fun weekly runs (or brisk walks) with others. Strava also offers a great way to socialise while exercising, as well as providing wonderful running and cycling routes. Not a keen runner? Download the King’s Move app and get points for tracking your steps. You can then redeem your points for a free hot drink and pastry at any of the King’s food cafés/restaurants across campuses – they’ve got me through revision many a time!
Summer
It’s time to get out in the sun and soak up some Vitamin D. If it is too hot, hang out in any of the free air-conditioned museums and art galleries all around the city. For those wanting a tan, having a picnic on Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park or Primrose Hill is cheap and easy. Enjoy the sunset from Alexandra Palace or the Tate Modern and walk the long way home, you might even pass a city farm full of cute animals. KCL also has loads of opportunities around the summer time like global exchanges and research internships for which you can get funding, so check them out if you don’t think you can afford your dream holiday this year!
Autumn
So, you’ve just arrived at university or got back from your summer adventures… what better time than to get involved in the activities run by KCLSU and our societies? They often have free introductory sessions and lots of freebies to draw you in. You can also try unlimited sports and fitness classes for £30 a year with King’s BeActive (or a single Session Pass for £3)! And why not reflect on the upcoming year with a bit of journaling? I find getting my worries and goals onto the page is great for relieving stress.
Winter
Although the days are shorter and darker, you can brighten up your days by playing online games with friends (big games like League of Legends or Valorant are free). It is also a great time to organise a movie night. If you fancy braving the cold, there are Christmas markets and displays around London – I go to the one by Hays Galleria (just off Tooley Street, about 6 minutes from Guy’s Campus). Even if you don’t buy anything, the Christmas spirit is really uplifting. To stay fit I normally do home workouts that I find on YouTube; when you want to stay inside all the time it is good to get some movement in!
Sometimes though life gets hard and it’s okay to say you might need some help. KCL has lots of help available to you: check out the Wellbeing Hub or contact someone on the crisis page if you need urgent help. King’s also has a free counselling service, which provides trained counsellors to all students on each campus. There are also pages on Student Services Online which have great tips on staying healthy both in terms of your wellbeing and spending:
- Top tips on managing your mental health & wellbeing
- Top tips on managing your money during your studies
- What does KCLSU offer to support my wellbeing?
- Money issues are affecting my mental health
Rebecca Lam
King’s Student Money Mentor
Part of Money & Housing Advice
The King’s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students’ personal experiences and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post. King’s College London, the Money & Housing Advice service and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts.