Feeling nervous about starting university and moving away from home? Trust me, you’re not alone. Before I started my first year at King’s College London, I was exactly the same. But living in King’s Residences meant I had one of the BEST experiences I could possibly have as a student living in London.

Living with King’s provided me with lots of unique opportunities to get involved in events and activities that I’d never thought of getting involved in before. It pushed me way out of my comfort zone, but in the best possible way! No matter which residence you live in, you can expect to meet a diverse group of people, learn some really useful skills, and most importantly, have fun!

Sounds good? That (and so much more) is exactly what YOU will be a part of in King’s Residences. Here are the things you can look forward to:

1. Having a home away from home

Moving away from home is a big step for everyone, whether that’s a new city or country, but in King’s Residences, you have the opportunity to make your room feel just like it does at home. Except now, you have some slightly different neighbours! For those of you who like your home comforts, there are lots of small ways that you can personalise your space – and it doesn’t have to be too expensive either. How creative will you be?

2. Becoming part of a community

For me, the social aspect of living in King’s Residences is the best part. You get to live with a bunch of people who are all starting their KCL journey at the same time as you, which makes it that little bit easier to make friends. There are plenty of opportunities to meet new people whether you’re at a ResiLife event or just passing someone in the corridor. The most important thing to do is get involved. I found it a bit daunting at first but there is always SO much going on from yoga sessions to boat tours on the Thames!

Not only that, but you will meet people from all over the world. Your neighbours could be from China, North America or just down the road; but one thing that is guaranteed is that you’re all together, about to explore one of the best cities in the world.

3. Having a strong support system

Getting settled into a completely new lifestyle isn’t easy, and you may come across problems from time to time. Not to worry though, because in King’s Residences you have a strong support circle to help you out. Reception Staff, Hall leaders, Welfare Leads and Community Facilitators (CFs) are always around residences (and are contactable) if you need their support. CF’s are the go-to people if you’re ever missing home or need a bit of advice. They have been in your position before and will understand exactly how you’re feeling.

It’s worth mentioning how safe and secure you are in your flats too. You’ll have 24/7 security, CCTV and aren’t able to access your flat without your student ID card. So, when you’re all cosy in your flat, there’s no way of anyone disturbing you or making you feel unsafe.

4. Being in a great location

Before I started at KCL, I didn’t know that King’s Residences were spread all over London, but wherever you end up living you’re never too far from something amazing and exciting. Trust me, in London, there is always something going on!

The public transport network in London is one of the best – it’s quick, cheap and really easy to navigate and that’s coming from a non-Londoner! You can get buses, trains (over and underground) and bikes all over the city. Some residences are even walking distances from Big Ben, Oxford Street and even Camden Market. If not, thanks to public transport, you can be on campus in no time or in Central London for a day of exploring if you’ve got some free time.

As you can see, there are lots of things to be excited about when it comes to living with King’s Residences. Your experience there will help you learn new things, meet lots of people and be comfortable amongst this big change that’s going on in your life. Lots of students

choose to stay in King’s Residences once their first year is done too because they just can’t face experiencing #fomo.

So, it’s time to follow in the footsteps of me, Alan Rickman, Tom Hiddleston, Gary Lineker and many more great alumni by staying in King’s Residences and having an amazing time at KCL.

Enjoy!

As move-in weekend creeps closer and the excitement continues to build, it’s time to start picturing your life in your brand new home.

Moving to university is a completely new experience and you’re likely to learn a lot along the way, but one thing I want to help you get right is your moving day. Together, we can make sure that moving into your King’s Residence is stress-free and pretty smooth sailing!

I’ll show you exactly what you need to bring with you on move-in day, what you can buy when you get here, the best places to shop and more.

What will be in my residence when I arrive?

King’s Residences encourage you to personalise your room so that it feels like home and represents you BUT that doesn’t mean you have you bring your furniture with you! You get a lot of items included in your rent, so don’t worry about buying or bringing any of these with you:

• Bed and mattress (with a mattress protector)
• Desk and chair
• Wardrobe
• A set of drawers
• Curtains/blinds
• Microwave
• Washing machine and dryer
• Ironing board
• Vacuum
• Mop & bucket
• Sweeping brush

Not all of these will be in your room; you’ll have to venture out to your kitchen or even communal spaces to find some of them but they are all there for you to use.

What do I need to bring with me?

When you first open the door to your room, it looks a bit like an empty shell but in the best possible way because it’s a blank canvas ready for you (and your things) to bring it to life. Watch a fellow KCL student show you exactly how it’s done!

If you’re travelling to London from a different part of the UK, you shouldn’t have a problem packing a car full of this stuff and carrying it up to your room once you arrive. Beware: this will probably take a few trips but it’s all worth it in the end – it means you can officially start getting settled into this exciting new chapter!

Here are the must-haves:

• Bedding (duvet, pillowcases, bed linen)
• Towels
• Cleaning products
• Toiletries
• A bin
• Clothes and shoes
• Clothes hangers
• Pots and pans
• Crockery and cutlery
• Kettle
• Toaster
• Important documents (ID, enrollment paperwork)
• Technology (laptop, speaker, TV, games console)
• Chargers

It’s worth mentioning that it isn’t always necessary to buy all of this yourself. You don’t want to end up with 5 kettles and no space for everyone’s pots and pans or food. By joining your residence’s official Facebook group, you can find your future flatmates and plan who’s bringing what. I did this and I found out that someone had already bought a toaster for the flat, so it saved me a bit of extra money. Winner!

What can I buy in London and where from?

For those of you who are joining KCL from overseas, you may struggle to bring much more than a couple of suitcases. That isn’t a problem though because once you arrive in the UK, you’ll find that there are LOADS of places to buy all the essential household items.

If you’re unsure of where to shop, here are some ideas:

• Bedding. You’ll need a duvet and pillowcases. You can buy bedding packs in some of King’s Residences so that they’re waiting for you in your room once you arrive. Otherwise, Wilkos is your budget option and John Lewis for luxury.
• Bed linen. I’d suggest having at least two sets so that you always have a spare when you need to put your sheets in the wash. ASDA is your budget option and The White Company for luxury.
• Towels. Again, you’ll need a few for when they need washing. For bath and hand towels, H&M Home is your budget option and Next Home for luxury.
• Pots and pans. You’ll learn loads of new recipes at university, I did and I couldn’t even boil an egg before I left home! IKEA is your budget option and Wayfair.
• Crockery. Most stores will sell crockery in sets of 4 but buy individual items if you can because you don’t really need the extra items. ASDA is your budget option and M&S Home for luxury.
• Kettle. You will have a microwave in your residence but another staple you’ll struggle to live without is a kettle, whether you’re a big tea drinker or not. Argos is your budget option and John Lewis for luxury.
• Music speaker. Playing music during Welcome Week is one of the biggest ice breakers; it’s guaranteed to get you and your flatmates talking and getting to know each other. Amazon is your budget option and Currys for luxury.
• Clothes. As you may (or may not) know, British weather is pretty temperamental so you’ll need to bring clothes for every season. BooHoo and Selfridges for luxury.

What should I leave at home?

For the safety and convenience of you and your future flatmates, there are some things that aren’t allowed in King’s Residences so just leave these at home. Whenever you’re packing or out shopping for uni supplies, remember you shouldn’t have these:

• Candles, incense, oil burners
• Hookah pikes
• E-cigarette chargers
• Large furniture and electrical items
• International rice cookers (they must be purchased in the UK)
• Your car, moped or motorbike
• Clothes horse (every residence has dryers)

You’re going to have a great time living in your new home and for me, move-in weekend was one of the highlights of Welcome Week.

Now it’s time to focus on getting your uni supplies together and it’ll start to feel much more real, especially once your house is filled to the brim with moving bags and boxes!

Your application is in, now let the excitement about moving to the UK’s capital begin…

Moving away from home is a completely new experience and something that most people find quite daunting, and that’s ok, but remember that you have SO much to look forward to living in London. Let’s start focusing on the positives by picturing your life in your new home because in London, you have pretty much everything on your doorstep and as a student, there isn’t much else that you could want or ask for!

When I first moved here, I didn’t quite know what to expect and thought that I would feel like a little fish in a big pond but as soon as I arrived, I couldn’t believe how amazing it was and how quickly I settled in! Here are just some of the best things you can expect to experience whilst living in London:

1. A buzzing atmosphere

Wherever your King’s Residence is located, one guarantee is that you’ll be surrounded by a great community. London has lots of exciting and interesting things happening that you can join in with. It just has a quirky and unique vibe – perfect if you’re the alternative type and if not, it will open your eyes to lots of fun stuff.

One of my favourite things about living in the UK’s capital city is that there are so many things that you can only find in London – restaurants, gyms, nightclubs, shops, festivals – that you just won’t experience anywhere else. It’s like being in the biggest (but best) exclusive club out there!

2. Having LOTS to do

When most people think about London, they think about the tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, National History Museum so, imagine having all of these (and more) on your doorstep, and most of them don’t even cost a penny! The UK’s capital is famous for this stuff and you have 3 years to spend exploring; I can promise you that you won’t be getting bored anytime soon! Not only that, but you can make your way around theatres in the West End, world famous shopping centres in Central London and stunning parks in surrounding boroughs. Whatever your personal interests and hobbies are, London will have something to suit you. I absolutely love music and managed to go to 5 gigs in my first year, purely because artists are always touring in London and there are always last-minute events that you can pop along to.

3. Being well connected

Not only do you have 5 different airports in London but you have trains and buses that all make getting around the city super easy. For those of you who haven’t been to London before, the Underground, also known as the tube, will become your best friend! Underground stations are located all over London and these trains are the easiest (and quickest) way to get around, and with the help of an Oyster card, you’ll get 30% off your travel. You’ll probably need to keep a tube map handy in your first few weeks to save you from getting lost.

Other than trains, you can use buses that run all over central London and the London boroughs. To make life that little bit easier, you can pay for buses using cash, contactless cards or again, an Oyster card. As you wander around London, you’ll see bikes that are available to hire and if you haven’t been able to bring your bike from home, this is the perfect way to get back on the road!

4. Living in a multicultural society

London is easily one of the most diverse places in the world, so expect to meet lots of people from different countries, backgrounds, races and religions. If home isn’t that diverse and multicultural, make the most of this opportunity to meet a variety of people. Whether that means trying new cuisines, learning another language or just finding out more about someone else’s culture, living in London presents you with plenty of chances to do exactly that.

5. A diverse food scene
   If you’re a foodie, you’re moving to the right place! London has literally EVERY cuisine imaginable, so you won’t miss the authentic food from home if you’re coming from overseas. London also has incredible street food, cute cafés and coffee shops, vegan restaurants and let’s not forget the huge amount of brunch and afternoon tea spots either. Living here will open your eyes to lots of amazing food that you haven’t tried before – or maybe even heard of!

You might find your new favourite eatery just around the corner from your King’s Residence but once you’ve found your feet, go explore other areas of London to find the BEST places. Not everywhere has to break the bank either, lots of places are affordable and taste incredible.

6. Endless job opportunities

Applying for jobs might not be your top priority when you think about moving to London but you might need a part-time job alongside your studies to just give you a financial helping hand – and in London, you have endless opportunities. You could end up working in your King’s Residence, at the university, in Westfield, or your new favourite coffee spot. If you have an idea about the career you want to go into, you could find your dream internship or placement in this city. Thousands of companies are based in London making it that little bit easier to get your foot in the door during or after university!

7. A lively nightlife

How many good nights out have you had in your lifetime? Well, I can guarantee you that a night out in London will be on a whole other level! The great thing about London’s nightlife is that you don’t have to drink alcohol to enjoy yourself. There really is something for everyone too, so whatever your music taste or scene, you’re likely to find your favourite go-to spot in no time whether that’s at a nightclub, bar or an activity like crazy golf or an escape room.

My favourite way to describe London’s nightlife is individual; it really is one of a kind. And doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think either!

8. You’re never too far away

Central London is pretty big and when you take all of London’s boroughs into consideration, it’s huge! This means there is always something going on that you’re never too far away from. Like I mentioned earlier, London has great transport links meaning you could be in the countryside or at the beach within 30 minutes because of where London is located in the UK. As a whole, the UK isn’t actually that big either, meaning that you have the chance to visit other cities on weekends or days off university by jumping on a train, coach or even plane.

I hope you that shows you just how lucky you are to be moving to such an amazing city that has this much exciting things to offer you. What will you explore first? Time to put your bucket list together!

Having the right study space can be the difference between you finding everything under the sun to do except your work and actually getting your work done and then having time afterwards to watch cat videos.

Blogger Thomas Frank founder of College Info Geek talks about how to create or find study spaces that have minimal distractions, help you to stay focused and inspire you to do your best work.  He discusses different types of study spaces, the do’s and don’t’s of study space creation, and the key principles to make sure your study helps you study better.

Watch this animation by The School Of Life on being a good listener and let us know your thoughts.

In this inspiring talk, Drew Dudley explains how small acts of kindness can transform the lives of others. He challenges us to redefine our view of leadership—that it’s not about changing the world but about changing each other’s understanding of the world.

Podcasts are a great way to double up on your time while giving your brain cells a boost in the process. If you’re exercising, studying or driving home, tuning in to a good podcast will not only be a great companion, it’s also likely that you will learn something cool at the same time. So, to get you started, we’ve made a list of 5 podcasts we found interesting.

TED Talks

You may well have seen a few TED Talks online already, but did you know that they come in audio form as well? This series of amazingly informative presentations is full of inspiring, motivational talks covering everything from art to crime and all the weird and wonderful bits in between.

Stuff You Should Know

Created by the same people who started HowStuffWorks, this podcast runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and covers a vast range of topics, from Jack the Ripper to the Spanish Inquisition. Great for improving your knowledge for the next student pub quiz!

Without Fail

A new podcast from the folks at Gimlet Media, Without Fail is an interview podcast where host Alex Blumberg interviews people from the worlds of business, sport and culture. As the name suggests, it has a particular focus on how they failed and what they learned while doing it. The opening two episodes are a fascinating conversation with Andrew Mason who founded, and was then fired from, Groupon.

Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio takes all the questions you most likely asked your search engine and explores them through the lens of economics and statistics. Yes, we know that doesn’t sound interesting but it’s wildly fascinating in that introspective, yet playful sense of understanding yourself and the world.

The Guilty Feminist

The Guilty Feminist is an award-winning podcast and live show hosted by Deborah Frances-White. With a range of guests, Deborah discusses the big topics all 21st-century feminists agree on, whilst confessing their “buts” – the insecurities, hypocrisies and fears that undermine our lofty principles.

Let us know what podcasts you listen to in the comments section