Post contributed by Abhishree Pandey, second year Law student

You’re here! You made it! You’re in one of the best universities of the world, in one of the most vibrant, full-of-life cities in the world! Everything is perfect, you are just getting started with your new life, but there’s a catch!

You’re not a legally recognised adult yet.

How much difference can it really make though?

Cartoon illustration of London skylineHi! I am Abhishree Pandey, a second year Law Student. I moved in to Stamford Street Apartments as a 17 year old in September 2023. I was fully ready to explore everything London had to offer, and it came as a bit of a shock to me that some things were restricted because of my age.

And if you are an under-18 student reading this, I want you to know what to be prepared for.

It is absolutely amazing to achieve such a remarkable feat at such a young age – you are starting University earlier than most people! And you should be proud of that! But you should know what comes with being an under-18 student in London.

  1. Residences are extra careful about your safety – cooperate with them

A group of hands placed on top of one another in a circle

If you are an under-18 student, you are most likely living at Great Dover Street Apartments or Stamford Street Apartments. Both are highly sought after residences to live in. As an under-18 student you are required to check in every day. This can be either through using your King’s ID to tap in anywhere in Residences or by filling out the U-18 Check in form. This is to ensure you are safe and it’s important you don’t miss these daily check-ins as the U-18 Welfare Team will follow up to make sure you are okay.

  1. There are restrictions…

The legal age for buying alcohol in the UK is 18. Clubs, bars and pubs are very strict about this and they ID you to ensure you are of age. This means you are not able to go clubbing until you are 18 (if you are a home student, you already knew that, but for my fellow international students who come from countries with not-as-strict laws around this – it might come as a shock). Although yes, a lot of university life, especially Freshers, is spent in night outs, that does not mean you don’t get to live the true Uni experience. London has a lot to offer for everyone!

  1. There are special events and provisions in place for you!

A smiling group of students outside a theatreUnder-18 students are guaranteed a place in either Stamford Street Apartments or Great Dover Street Apartments. ResiLife and BeActive also organise special events for under-18s. There are plenty of under-18 students each year so you will always have people in your cohort to mingle with!

My advice would be to enjoy your time before officially being an adult. Nothing stops time and you will inevitably turn 18 before you know it. It is important to cherish and savour every moment you are here at King’s and there are plenty of resources to help you do that. FOMO is very real and it is important to talk to someone about it if it gets unbearable. But – what I can promise you is, you don’t have to sit around and wait to turn 18 in London. This beautiful city has plenty to offer, you just have to keep an eye out for it!