By Aadi Mankodi, a 2nd year mathematician at King’s College London, and if I could time travel to
Fresher’s Week, armed with a tote bag full of free pens, here’s what I wish I’d tell myself before
studying at King’s.
1) London is your campus
Friends of mine studying up North genuinely envy the fact that I study in the heart of central
London. I’m situated on the Strand Campus, where my classes are minutes away from the
River Thames. The view from the 8th floor terrace of Bush House at night is one of those
moments where you stop, look out, and think, yeah … this is pretty inspiring.
London is fast-faced, and endlessly exciting. I’ve seen all sorts of interesting things, from
street performers in Covent Garden to an undercover cop on the tube.
Tip: To save money, I recommend downloading “Student Beans” and “Unidays” for plenty of
student discounts.
2) Be the initiator
University doesn’t hold your hand. No one checks if you went to lectures or did the reading.
At first, that freedom feels intimidating, but it’s actually one of the best things about King’s: it
forces you to grow up quickly.
Socially, the same rule applies. If you wait for people to come to you, you’ll miss out. Reach
out first. Sit next to someone new. Start a conversation. This is how friendships are born.
3) Academic support is there (and it’s from experts)
One thing I underestimated before starting at King’s was just how much academic support is
available. Not only lecturers, who are specialists in their fields, but you’re also assigned a
personal tutor who can provide guidance. In mathematics, many tutorials are run by PhD
students; people just a few years ahead of you, but skilled and relatable.
4) There is so much to do beyond your degree
There are around 400 societies at King’s, and the option to create your very own. King’s
offers talks from guests, career fairs, and networking events. Leverage your location. You
don’t need to do everything, but you miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.
I look forward to seeing you on campus!
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