*This article was written prior to COVID-19 restrictions*
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:
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
