Studying in the UK is a great chance for everybody, which can help to choose the perspective for the further life. The UK is famous for quality of its institutions, ages of history and variety of traditions. Nevertheless, as students are often young people who are to start their independent life, living and studying in a new country may sometimes have its difficulties. That being said, you should try and be ready for it and know a few things about the country and the culture. In the next posts I will try to list some useful tips that will be useful in order to feel comfortable as a student in the UK.
Preparing for Your Move
Even at this stage, it is very important to be well equipped for the move to the United Kingdom. It is important that you collect all the relevant documents like passport, student visa and university acceptance letter. Keep copies of these documents for they may be demanded at any one time especially in an emergency. It is also advisable to carry out a survey about the climate of the area, the available form of transits, and other things like shops among others. Currently there are several things that you can do to avoid getting stressed up and most importantly, help you in the transitioning process to a new life in the UK.
Understanding the Culture
England and the United Kingdom in particular has a very diverse population and it is likely that at times the culture can differ significantly from your own. According to their etiquette and mannerisms British people are very polite and calm most of the time so one has to be careful not to offend the people. For instance, people are expected to queue (stand in a queue) and anyone who tries to cut a queue is regarded as having being rude. It is also desirable to be punctual therefore attempt at being punctual during classes or any other appointments. To avoid embarrassing yourself and to get a good impression immediately, always get some time to understand the British culture and manners.
Managing Your Finances
That is why it is so expensive to live in the UK — and even more so in London. One should plan a budget and also should not exceed that budget. To begin, calculate the monthly expenses such as rent, food, transport and other expenses such as jokes. Be particular to get student discount/offer for this purpose. Almost every store or restaurant and other services provide good discounts to students, which means it is always better to carry your student ID with you. If possible it is advisable to take up a part time job in order to earn an extra stream of income. Practical financial management will ensure that you do not have to struggle with finances and hence make your time in UK full of fun.
Finding Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the first issues that you are going to encounter when arriving to the United Kingdom. Most universities provide accommodation facilities to their students and it is also a common practice for most students to stay in the hostels particularly first year students for easy access to their classes. About the university residence It is a common thing for students to live near the university and so face the chance of meeting new people. For more independence, there are private letting available which include flats, apartments and others. There are several website involved in apartment and house search such as rightmove, zoopla etc. Before moving into the property, first, go to the property physically and then read the contract thoroughly and understand the rights and liabilities of the tenant.
Adjusting to the Weather
The weather is a variable climate in the United kingdom and may change from time to time depending on the hours of the day. I have noticed that even in the summer there can be rain, so it is better to carry an umbrella with you. Winter season can be relatively wet and cold which means that you should pack warm items such as a coat, gloves and a scarf. That is because layers are very important since they help you cope with the change in the weather conditions. The weather can be difficult to cope with at times but accepting that the climate defines the United kingdom will take less time to accept.
Making Friends and Socializing
Indeed one of the strong perks of being a student in the UK is the interaction with the people from all over the globe. Most universities have clubs and societies and events you can attend to meet and interact with fellow students of the same like minded personalities. Some of the benefits of joining a club or society include getting friends, and thus feel wanted in the university. Do not hesitate to interact with your peers or go to some social gatherings. It will also he helpful to try and socialize in order to gain support in making the social time that one will be having in the UK more enjoyable.
Staying Healthy
Preventing the worst that may befall we are called to maintain our health which is not very easy when you are learning in another country. As is the case with many developed countries, there is the National Health Service (NHS) which offers healthcare services to residents of the UK and international students inclusive. As soon as you are there, try and visit a GP (General Practitioner) who will further help in case of any emergency. Remember also to keep a health cover just in cases there will be emergent costs. To enhance physical well-being there is also need to take balanced meals, exercise regularly and learn how to cope with pressures. That way, you will concentrate on your books and tours, keeping good health during your stay in the United Kingdom.
Exploring the UK
The UK is beautiful with many places of interest there, besides being a country with many historic dates behind it. Try Second Life Game by visiting places such as the Big Ben, The Tower of London, and The Edinburgh Castle among others. The country is also known for its picturesque nature with such places as the Lake District, Scotland and Wales highlands, and the coast of Wales. Getting around the UK is quite simple and most often one can be able to find student fares when paying for the fares.
Walking and Talking: Communication with Family and Frien
As you mentioned the common problem that people can have while living in a new country is homesickness, but one can always keep in touch with their friends and family. Take time and keep in touch, more often through phone calls or video calls with your family and friends. One of the most convenient ways is also through social networking sites where you are free to update them on your journey. Although it is good to keep in contact with friends and family, Homesickness should not be a reason for missing out on fun whilst in the United Kingdom.
Planning for Your Future
University life in the UK may be fun, but it is always good to consider what comes after so that you know you’re investing in your future. It is therefore advisable that students make use of the resources offered by their university for instance the career services and interns. For this purpose, go for a career fair, workshops and events so that you can meet the potential employers and get some leads on job openings. If you plan to work in the UK after graduation, find out about the possibilities of visa. Thinking ahead about what you want to do after your course will enable you to have the best of your time in UK as well as after you are done with the course.
Embracing Cultural Differences
UK boasts of a rich cultural diversity, and enrolling in any of the Universities provides an option to interact with the difference cultural values. The inhabitants of the UK are very mixed with people from different countries and cultures coming for studies in England. Students should also educate themselves about different cultures of people living in that certain University and that community. Take part in various cultural occasions, sample various foods and be ready to change one’s attitude and perception. Cultural awareness will not only be enjoyable but it will also give you an insight other cultures that is vital in the understanding of today’s issues.
How Safe Is Safe in United Kingdom?
Security is as well another factor of concern whenever one is residing in a new country. Summing it up, one could state that the United Kingdom mainly has low crime rates and therefore is a rather safe country with some precautions necessary. Get to know the emergency services number which is 999 and also know the nearest police station and hospital. Do not walk alone especially at night in unfamiliar places, also if going out, ensure you keep your valuables safe. Universities also have programs and the facilities that aim at providing safety to their students while in campus and beyond. As always, bear with the basic caution and avoid those risky areas, and you will be able to have your vacations in the UK without a hitch.
Effective Stress Management And Ways Of Enhancing Mental Health
Like any other process in life, studying abroad can be fun and at the same time can be stressful hence a little stress is normal. The thing is that stress should not be left unnoticed and there are some tips on how to deal with it. Check on your hobbies, do things that you love and have leisure in your everyday life to avoid overworking yourself. If you feel that you’re too stressed, it is wise to consult your university’s counseling centre. One should maintain mental health as this is also an important aspect of an individual which if cared for will enable you to have a positive attitude as you go through your time in the UK.
Participating in University Life
Involvement in other activities of the university is one of the best ways of enhance one’s experience within the United Kingdom. Get involved in the groups and clubs, schools societies, or sports team to make as many friends as possible and enjoy the things that you treasure most. The clubs in universities in the UK are diverse; one may find academic clubs such as a law club, or creative arts, volunteering among others. Engagement in these activities will assist the development of new skills, gaining of friends and feeling of belonging in the university fraternity. It helps learners also to have a break from their books and enjoy other activities apart from learning in the classroom.
Building a Professional Network
When studying in the United Kingdom that is the best time to start developing your professional contacts. To source for jobs get connected with individuals in your areas of specialization from fields, career fairs, industry talks and networking occasions. Other sources includes alumni base common in many universities that may prove helpful in terms of connection or advice. Having good relationships with employers during your time in the UK means that you will be able to secure a job and do internships and this will help you after you graduate. Industry contacts are one of main components of the working path, so do not miss the chance to extend the circle of acquaintances and share the experiences.
Some Facts about the Schooling Systems in the United Kingdom
It will vital that you acquaint yourself with how the education system in the UK works since it may be different from what you are used to. This is actually quite different from university courses in the UK where there is a lot more focus on self directed learning and undertaking research. Lectures and seminars are the base, but in order for you to learn as a university student, you will have to be more proactive. Effective time management is required since that in addition to attending all the classes, one will need enough time to complete all the assignments and prepare for the exams. It will also enable you to excel academically and get the best out of your education when you do your course in the United Kingdom.
How to keep a track of all school related work and course timetable
That also means without proper organization, managing oneself and the studies in the UK is relative rather easy. When it comes to school work there are many assignments, projects and exams and all of these can so overwhelming. Begin with organizing a calendar to manage your tasks and obligations and always check the deadlines. This could literally be a planner in the wall, or it might be in an application, or even a list of do’s on the board. Further subdivide the large tasks into small and achievable goals and then divide the projects into hourly tasks. Check the status of your progress and try and change your routine if necessary. Some of the reasons for organisation is that it will enable one to manage his timetable well or to do away with lots of stress hence making studies less burdensome.
Understanding UK Grading Systems
Grading policies may also be different from what you are used to if you come from another country especially from the United Kingdom. Knowledge of how your work will be evaluated will enable to set right expectations and strive to perform better. In most of the UK universities, the grades are usually categorized in form of classifications that include the First class, the 2:1 or the Second class, the 2:2 or the Second class, and the 3rd or the Third class. All of these are correlated to a set of percentages. That is why one should know what grade means and what is expected from the student to get it. It will assist you to design your learning approaches and goals in academic work depending on the grading system you understand.
Engaging with Local Communities
Interacting with people in local communities, especially in the UK can make you feel at home and gain more in-depth experience. Most of towns and cities have centralized facilities for meetings and recreation, volunteering organizations, and students’ associations. Attending or organizing local fairs, markets or sports activities, for instance, could be quite effective in creating interaction breaks for learning with locals. Volunteering is also another area one can use in order to give something to the society as well as gain more experience and skills. Interacting with the people in your target area will give you good relations and rent the place as the second country.
Conclusion
Studying and living in the UK has a lot of prospect to experience in terms of personal development as well as in academic input. In this way, being prepared, william, managing your personal and financial matters, and maintaining good health are some of the ways one can enable him/her make the best out of his/her duration in the UK. Do not forget to travel around the country, meet new people and think about the next goal in your life. That way your time in this country will be filled with positivism and will leave you with sweet memories to cherish.