Category Archives: Advice

Mastering the student life

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Patricia Nascimento

Advice, Postgraduate lifeinlondon, Postgraduate, work life balance.

Studying a postgraduate degree related to your passions is exciting especially if you are doing it at one of the most exhilarating cities in the world, right? Well, there’s more to it.

Being a master’s student involves dedication, time management, diligence and focus. You can enjoy London to the fullest, but you must master the balance of fun and work to ensure you have that top-notch degree on your CV. Here I tell you the way’s I have managed making it through my master’s degree without stress mounting.

Create a routine

My daily life in London is intense but very exciting. I have created a routine of waking up early to prepare my coursework as soon as it has been assigned to me, this way I avoided stress when deadlines approached. To soldier through I need lots of motivation and I can only describe mine in six letters: C-O-F-F-E-E. Tip: grab your cup and head straight to uni, London is amazing for it, you can find good coffee easily and for a very good price.

Work hard, play harder

Routines aside, studying in London means you’ve got to make time to enjoy its cosmopolitan energy. After a full-day of working hard on the comfy sofas on the third floor of the library, I like to reward myself at the pub with a cider among the company of friends.

Change your environment

If I get bored of studying at the library, I pack up and go to Goswell Road and sit down with my books in a coffee shop – there are countless around campus. I do this often because it allows me to enjoy the city, an added benefit while I get my work done and ultimately avoid building anxiety from work overload.

Weekends to the rescue

Weeks of work are intense and it’s not every day that I can release stress. Sometimes I get so tired I just want my best friend – my bed. So, during busier periods, I am left with the weekends for stress relief.

A warning but sometimes you will have to work through the weekends. But as I mentioned, it’s all about time management and if you plan ahead, you can definitely crash that party on the weekend feeling no guilt at all, and your schedule intact.

If you are into partying hard there’s lots of fun places near campus in Shoreditch, but be aware, you will not be in the best shape or form to study the next day – well, at least I can’t. I am usually knocked out asleep the next day whenever I go partying into the early morning. I usually reserve these nights for when I have no lectures the next day or big assignments ahead.

Embrace your living arrangements

It may sound strange, but during the exam period, or when you are working on a big assignment, it may seem like you are living within the University – I am not joking. I even thought about bringing a tent once. Just kidding! (Am I?).

I live in student accommodation and I’ve built good friendships with my hall mates. It’s good to talk to someone while you cook your meals; you may even have an unexpected study buddy in the common room some days. Having friends to share my difficulties and overall experiences has helped me cope with all the responsibilities I carry as a master’s student.

The golden rule is balance

Don’t be too hard on yourself that you sacrifice your free time, but don’t leave your work behind either because you’re enjoying London life too much. If you want to eat at your favourite restaurant but your deadline is in four days, get it delivered to you. You can enjoy that well deserved day off, while achieving top scores in your coursework too! It’s satisfying to acquire both fun memories and academic accomplishments. So, by the end of September, you could be receiving your degree and enjoying the sentiment of “my work is done!” while having spent the year in one of the best cities in the world. Well done!

8 day trips from London if you need a break from your studies

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan

Advice, Explore London advice, day trips, explore, travel, UK.

London is the second most visited city in the world, according to Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index study. While the atmosphere of the Europe’s ‘Big Apple’ will always be fascinating, we have complied a list of the best day trips outside of London for student who want to explore further afield or are looking for a much needed break from their busy schedules.

The good news? You do not need to venture far to enjoy peace and quiet away from London’s hustle and bustle. In fact, an hour from London and you will stumble upon quaint towns and cities with many offerings no less impressive. With mobile apps like Trainline and a 16-25 Railcard on hand, it can be cheap and easy to plan a quick getaway (10 free apps every student should download). Here are some of my favourite towns for that much desired trip outside of London:

Maidstone, Kent [cheapest rail ticket with return: £10.40]

Maidstone is a town in Kent, England with a historically important background. Only an hours train ride away from London, the trip is breathtakingly worth it. A must-visit site is the Leeds Castle, dating back to 1119, and open to the public. Start by enjoying the beautiful views of the stone castle situated on two islands on a magnificent lake, take in the splendid rooms and Civil War cuirassier armour, then visit the world’s only museum of dog collars or lose yourself in the maze made with 2,400 yew trees.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex [cheapest rail ticket with return: £11.40]

The small town in southeast England is not short of fun activities. In just two hours you could escape your course-related stress and forget it all at the pebbled beach or at Adventure Island. It is a free-admission amusement park with rides and attractions for people of all ages. It offers six roller coasters, 30 rides, amusement arcades, Formula AI Karting, Adventure Golf, and Sea Life Adventure.

Cambridge [cheapest rail ticket with return: £12.55]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BD23rHjsgj8/

Cambridge is a city on the river Cam in eastern England. The town is small but full of interesting sites and places for you to relax. You could see the optical illusion of the Mathematical Bridge where it appears to be an arch, however, it is composed entirely of straight timers. You could also visit the famous Newton’s Apple Tree or the magnificent Jesus Green park. Another recommendation of mine is Cambridge University Botanic Garden, which covers an area of 16 hectares (40 acres). It holds a plant collection of over 8,000 plant species from all over the world, a botanic garden lake, beautiful glasshouses, and fountains.

Windsor [cheapest rail ticket with return: £7.75]

Would you like to visit the wedding site of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Only 39 minutes away from central London, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and The Queens favourite weekend home. You too can make your way down The Long Walk like royalty, or experience on of the many tours and exhibitions the castle offers. The small town also has magnificent open spaces like the Windsor Great Park, a beautiful lake with swans, cosy pubs, and many shopping opportunities.

Brighton [cheapest rail ticket with return: £12.35]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgeXyIdgMiw/

The English seaside resort is a small-student town an hour away from London. It has fun student-friendly clubs and an incredibly beautiful pier, hosting an amusement park and sea life. Brighton is full of art galleries and museums and home to the the iconic regency palace and museum – Royal Pavilion. However, the highlight for me was the British Airways i360 – a 162-meter moving observation tower that overlooks the whole city and offers a view for the perfect Instagram picture.

Oxford [Cheapest train ticket with return: £10.80]

The small and tradition university town is a mere hour’s journey from central London. You can explore the university grounds, countless museums and theatres such as the Pitt Rivers Museum, Ashmolean Museum, and The Sheldonian theatre. Personally, I enjoyed the legendary Covered Market Oxford which has been around since the 1770s – an indoor bazaar with traditional market shops selling fresh produce at the greengrocers and butchers, gift shops and boutique clothing stores for unique treasures, bakeries and buzzing cafes to sit back and enjoy good food and soak in the atmosphere.

Broadstairs [cheapest rail ticket with return: £13.19]

In about 80 miles east of London, you could enjoy one of Thanet’s seaside resorts, known as the “jewel in Thanet’s crown”. Family-friendly sandy beaches, sand bars, and opportunities for surfing are at hand with numerous gulfs such as Botany Bay, Viking Bay, and Kingsgate Bay Road. The summer resort hosts the Dickens House Museum – this little gem has an entrance fee of £3.75 and it features extremely interesting exhibitions.

Fun fact: The building which houses the museum was once home to Mary Pearson Strong, a close friend of Dickens and the inspiration for characters such as Betsey Trotwood of David Copperfield. Indeed, the home is the model for Betsey’s home.

Bath [cheapest rail ticket with return: £20.50]

Bath is the largest city in Somerset County and well-known for its famous Roman-built baths. The town is filled with buildings in medieval style with a Gothic interior. It is the perfect place for you to relax and enjoy historic bath spas with hot waters and open rooftops swimming pools such as The Romanian Bath and Thermae Bath Spa. A personal favourite of mine is The Jane Austen Centre, a small namesake museum dedicated to the writer of the beloved-by-many novel, Pride & Prejudice. You could purchase jewellery and clothing, but also enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the Regency Tea Room with a cup of Lady Catherine’s Proper Cream Tea (£9) and a slice of Mrs. Bennet’s Cake of the day (£7.45).

10 free apps every student should download

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan

Advice, Explore London, London advice, Apps, Commute, london, Night life.

These apps will not only make you feel productive but make you feel like a true Londoner – on top of your university and social life and know (or at least appear like you know) London like the back of your hand.

As students, we don’t quite have a routine day-to-day, instead we exist in the middle of a military zone. We are constantly tired, hungry, and bombarded with new compulsory readings and assessments we are required to complete within short notice.

We procrastinate and drink gallons of coffee thinking it will help us stay ahead of the game. Undoubtedly, we find ourselves prioritising our to-do list poorly – like choosing to clean our room instead of writing that much dreaded assignment – in an attempt to avoiding the unavoidable.

However, I have recommended ten student-friendly mobile apps that you must download – for finding secret clubs on a budget to finding your way around the big city.

Study apps

Moodle [Android/ iOS]

In a previous post of mine, How to Survive Exams, I have mentioned how essential Moodle is for students. With the Moodle app on your phone or desktop you can access everything offline – from PowerPoint presentations and library resources to timetable, grades and even your department’s common room. Only one click away from checking something quickly while on the tube or while running errands, Moodle will help you keep on top of everything university related.

Organise uni life on Moodle.

StudyBlue [Android/iOS]

This revision app is perfect for people who are flash card and quiz fanatics or even for those of you who don’t have enough time to study and prepare for coursework or exams.

StudyBlue is an app that enables you to customise your study materials with images and audio. You could quiz yourself, track your progress and set study reminders. My favourite features are the sharing tool that allows you to share flashcards with your classmates and teachers, and the search tool which allows you to find existing materials on the web with one easy keyword search. Use this app while commuting or when you want to squeeze in that last five minutes of revisions before you sit your exam.

Make revision manageable with StudyBlue

Citationsy [iOS]

This app takes away the hustle and bustle of referencing and creating a bibliography. This free app will organise your citations into different colour-coded projects and export them in over 8,500 different styles. The only thing you have to do is scan your book’s barcode to generate a reference formatted in Harvard, Chicago, or any other style that your university demands.

Let Citationsy create your bibliography

Evernote [Android/ iOS/ Web]

This app is extremely useful if you would like to be more organised and capture and priorities projects, ideas, and to-do lists in one single place. With Evernote, you could document ideas in a variety of formats, including sketches, photos, and web clippings. You could use the camera to scan and organise paper documents, handwritten notes, and drawings, create to-do lists and reminders or let multiple participants work on different aspects for joint projects. The best thing is that you can sync your mobile app with your computer and tablet, enabling you to document ideas and your train of thoughts, wherever you are.

Organise your notes on Evernote

Travel apps

CityMapper [Android/ iOS/ Web]

CityMapper is one of the best and most used apps I have ever downloaded on my phone. Even if you are familiar with London, this app will still be useful for your day-to-day commute. The only thing you need to do is select the location where you are heading to and the app will automatically give you different options of travel – including waking, cycling, bus, tube, it will even suggest Uber. The app displays the cost for each option of travel and estimates how long it will take you. It is incredibly precise and easy to use.

Plan your journeys on CityMapper

Trainline [Android/ iOS]

Used on a regular basis, Trainline helps me plan my trips accurately to the very last second. With this app you won’t have to wait in queues ever again – just add your railcard for discounts, buy and use the mobile ticket on the go. You can see live departure and arrival times for trains to your chosen destination, view the platform number, and receive live updates on delays and alterations to your journey. You don’t need to use your data allowance to upload your ticket to go through the gates, and you can enjoy the perks of a regular ticket – you have the option to cancel, change or refund your ticket all via the app.

Check your train schedule on Trainline

Railcard [Android/ iOS]

I am a passionate traveller and with the help of the Trainline app planning a journey has never been easier. However, I started spending way too much on tickets until I found out about the 16-25 Railcard discount. For only £30 it’ll save you 30 per cent on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. After you purchase your card, download the app in order to be verified if needed.

Claim your rail fair discounts with Railcard

Promotions & offers

DUSK [Android/ iOS]

Every Friday and on weekends students face the same problem. Where do I go to drink? What will they offer? Shall I go for quality drinks or budget drinks? DUSK is your answer!

It suggests you all the pubs and clubs in close proximity to you that DUSK partners with. Therefore you can enjoy discounts up to 30 per cent of your purchase but also have a free alcoholic drink per night. This app will help you find hidden pubs, hipster clubs and challenges you to try drinks and cocktails you might have not had the gut to try. Just select a bar, follow the app’s directions to the bar, and voila! enjoy cheap drinks and an amazing atmosphere!

Enjoy a night out with DUSK

UNiDAYS [Android/ iOS]

This student app will help you with your student budget at all times. It gives you instant access to student discounts with a variety of brands, including ASOS, Apple, Nike, Schuh, New Look, and Urban Outfitters. To register you need to sign up using your university email address to verify you’re a student. It could save you up to 40 per cent of your purchase and makes shopping incredibly satisfying!

Save on your shopping with UNiDAYS

Burger King [Android/ iOS]

If you enjoy the occasional junk food then, Burger King is your joint. The burger chain offers many deals and vouchers on their app. Log in using your Facebook account details and grab six delicious chilli cheese bites for only £1.29. From 2 for 1 regular whopper meals to a £0.50 regular fries, just present your code and enjoy tasty food on the cheap.

Enjoy cheap treats with Burger King

An honest guide to finding employment as an international student

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London international student, job, part-time job, work, work life.

Many international students choose to study in London because…well… it’s London, the city of opportunities.

For some, being an international student with a student visa in London may bring certain uncertainties when it comes to funding. Whether you are a student or planning to study in London, this guide will let you know what to expect when navigating the part-time job market while at university.

Rest assured, we have you covered!

What you need to know

To fund your fabulous lifestyle in London you may decide you want to take up part-time work around your studies. International students on student visas are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hour per week during term time – this is to ensure students do not compromise on their studies. Here are some tips to help you navigate future job prospects:

#1 You are not a freelancer or self-employed

It is important to note international students cannot be self-employed. However, some companies that deal with providing university students with flexible work require them to identify as a freelancer (a type of self-employment). So, it’s important you are aware of this before signing a job contract to ensure you do not have issues with the tax man.

#2 Request a ‘right to work’ checklist

If you are interested in temporary seasonal jobs (during your Christmas or summer break) you can work more than 20 hours per week. But first make sure you request a ‘right to work’ checklist from your course officer so you are fully aware of the officially recognised university vacation time.

#3 Know your rights

Do not let your employer try to pursued you into working more than 20 hours per week during term time. You have the right to say no. You will be found in violation of your visa terms if you go over those 20 hours.

#4 Be persistent and patient

Once you have been offered a position, companies would submit your details in their online management systems. Sometimes you may find you will be automatically rejected by the head office because of your visa. It might take a little while but they will re-submit your details manually. Just keep checking in with the employer as the job is yours.

For up-to-date information on your permission to work while studying, check out this useful guide or talk to an International Student Adviser at City, University of London’s student centre, to ensure you are well prepared before job hunting. You can browse job opportunities on our shortlist of websites for people looking for work while they study.

An honest guide to finding private accommodation as an international student

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London accommodation, lifeinlondon, london.

Being an international student in London is an amazing opportunity to brush up on your English language and to experience British culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to live in London when you are studying, as it is probably the best time in your life to experience the city.

Finding private accommodation can be a little complicated for international students who choose to live outside of halls. Here is the catch-22: you need to prove you have the funding to pay for your accommodation but you can only work up to 20 hours per week with your student visa (read more on finding work while studying with a student visa).

Here are some tips to get around this:

#1 House hunt out of term-time

To pass referencing checks, find a place during vacation months when you can work full-time and show the agency or landlord you are working full-time.

#2 Find a guarantor in full-time employment

If you need a guarantor because you do not make enough and you do not have any family based in the UK for support, there are companies that you can pay to be your guarantor for the length of your housing contract. But it may be a cheaper option to find a friend who is willing to be your guarantor who is in full-time employment.

#3 Have the funds to pay upfront

Some landlords or agencies may ask for advance rent payment for the minimum stay of the contract – this generally means paying six months to one-year rent. Technically every year international students are required to already have the funds in their account to pay for their year in the UK and must be able to show this when asked at the airport customs. This means that you should already have the money available for advanced rent.

#4 Share a house with friends

Find an empty home that is being rented out as a whole property then find working professionals to buddy up with. When it comes to referencing, the agency or landlord will average the income across the people in full-time employment – depending on how much they are earning in comparison to the rent of the house – which would mean that you would not need a guarantor or need to be in full-time employment.

6 reasons you should participate in an exchange programme

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, Undergraduate exchange, international, Law.

I have recently applied for City, University of London’s student exchange opportunity to another country with my first-choice school being France and my second/third choice schools both being in Australia. Many people ask why would you go on exchange when you are already international. Here are my reasons and why you should consider it too:

#1 Exposure to different opportunities

Learning from one institution is not enough to have well rounded knowledge as each institution teaches differently and offers different teaching and learning styles as well as providing different opportunities. For instance at City we have the Start-Ed clinic where law students can offer their services to start-up companies, however an institution in Australia might offer different opportunities.

#2 Grow your network

Having a background from one institution is not enough in this competitive society – the more diversified you can show you are the better your chances for future job prospects. Even though ‘ties’ are said to have no weight it is easier to make connections with people who are the same as you which is why many law firms are dominated by certain schools or backgrounds. Having a connection with the person interviewing you is important and it is easier to focus on how the two of you are the same rather than your differences.

#3 More job prospects

Going to another country may also increase job prospects. If the companies you are interested in are based in countries offered on the exchange programme then it might be an easier way to get be recruited by them. This is because London is highly competitive, so if you took a job in another country with the firm you are interested in then you might be able to transfer back to London if you wish.

#4 Experience more cultures

If students enjoy travelling, then exchange programmes are another way to see the world and experience a different perspective and cultural feel while in education.

#5 Strengthen your profile

Employers want to see that you are flexible and culturally aware. Moving countries can demonstrate to employers that you have those strengths.

#6 Save on costs

It could also save you money if you are attending a university in London where costs are high in comparison to other destinations which may be cheaper. Certain incentives are also offered such as 50% off tuition if you go on exchange for a full year (two terms) which is a benefit if you are self-funded. Currently the Erasmus grant is also in effect for EU countries (might change pending Brexit) which provides you with a monthly grant of 300 Euros while on exchange.

If you have a student exchange opportunity, I suggest you consider it – even if you are an international student – for all the benefits it might bring to you.

Choosing your university accommodation

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Nina Wanjala

Advice Accomodation.

As an international student going to first year, you are guaranteed accommodation and this process is quite easy. City, University of London normally pays a fraction of the rent of some student accommodation options so it tends to be affordable, for London’s standards anyway.

The issue begins once you have to move out of the place you’ve learned to call home because it’s only for first-year students and to do this quickly before you run out of accommodation options. There are many factors to consider and I want to explore some of them.

#1 Cost

The nearer your student accommodation is to the school, the more expensive it will be. This is especially because it is located in Zone 1, which is quite central and pretty much the most expensive zone. The difference is quite significant because I remember when looking through two of my most viable accommodation options, the difference between a place in Zone 1 and Zone 3 was literally £100 per week!

#2 Proximity to university

Living next to school is a big win. You get to save on transport costs, you can make it to your 9 am class even if you have overslept, you can go back home for lunch, when your classes end late you’re not caught up in London’s rush hour, it’s just all very convenient. However as aforementioned, you pay for this convenience.

#3 Living among people

An en-suite, shared bathroom, shared room or studio?

As much as selecting a shared place will be cheaper, you might not be as tolerant of other people’s behaviours and hygiene levels. A studio will give you your own space and the comfort of doing things your way, but it might be lonely as your interaction with people is limited.

An en-suite – with a communal kitchen – is cheaper than a studio to an extent, but would be more expensive than a shared room/bathroom. These are the factors you need to consider and ultimately it comes down to your personality and what you’re used to.

#4 Private student accommodation vs public-sector housing

With private accommodation, utilities and other extras tend to be included in the rent and therefore you won’t have to worry about no electricity or dealing with a landlord, like you would for the public-sector housing.

If you have friends who share a mutual understanding with you, it might be better to get a flat together, share the rent and get a better deal than you would with private halls for instance. It would be more enjoyable and you’d benefit from a bit more freedom too. With public-sector housing, there is private accommodation and thus you would benefit from more time to choose a place.

I picked these as the most important factors and that should be considered early enough so that you can start evaluating your options holistically, under no pressure, and so after your first year you end up at a place that you’re happy with.

6 student perks you should know about

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, London discounts, international student, services.

There are many opportunities available to students to help them succeed during school, and long after university has ended. These opportunities can come in the form of discounts as well as extra support. Here are some services and discounts students should be aware about during their short time at university.

#1 Career services

Available to students to help them in a variety of ways, they are available to help with CVs, interviews, job searches, and provide various events throughout the year. These events generally include potential employers delivering information sessions.

#2 Unitemps

Offered to students as a short-term fix for jobs. Jobs outside of university are sometimes not understanding of a student’s schedule. Unitemps is created for students which allows them to work around their schedule. The Widening Participation scheme for mentoring younger students is also another opportunity for students to make some cash while working around their busy schedule.

#3 City Sport

City’s sport facility available to all students to help them stay active and take fun classes or participate in sports at discounted rates in comparison to regular gyms.

#4 Amazon

The shopping allows for students to enjoy a Prime account for free for six months and then at a discounted rate thereafter.

#5 Student Oyster

The travel card provides 30% off of travel rates to make travelling to university more affordable as well as exploring London more plausible.

#6 ISIC card

International students should also take advantage of the ISIC card which provides discounts on rail, hotels, food, clothing, subscriptions, and memberships. The card does cost an upfront fee so check out where the card can be used first to see if it will be put to good use if you decide to buy it.

The services and discounts listed above are just a short list of the perks of being a student. Take a look at the Student Centre for more services and discounts for City, University of London students.

5 life hacks for university students in the UK

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Nina Wanjala

Advice discounts.

Here are five life hacks every international university student should know about when living in the UK.

Get a Nando’s card

Trust me, just get it.

When I first came, I was really confused as to why the legendary Portuguese restaurant chain (famous for its PERI-PERI chicken) is a bigger deal here than it is from where it originated (South Africa). I quickly joined the masses and stopped asking questions.

If you end up going there every now and then, you might as well get the card and benefit from a free meal ever so often. There’s nothing to lose.

Online grocery shopping

This depends on how much you shop at a go. I prefer shopping in bulk so that I make few visits to the store as possible. In the beginning, I remember struggling from the store burdened with very heavy bags and my walk home seeming much longer than it was. This can be felt less when done with friends, but still it takes a lot of manpower and people’s schedules often clash so at times you suffer alone.

Online grocery shopping is great if you’re doing it in bulk. You get to shop from the comfort of your home and have your heavy baggage delivered right to your door!

Pack early when moving out to a new accommodation

No, you do not have as much time as you think you do so just start early.

It’s easy to underestimate the number of things that have accumulated in just one year and waiting for the last minute is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. I moved out of my accommodation on the last day of my tenancy and I can’t forget the high stress levels that I experienced!

Travel around Europe (cheaply)

Coming from a continent where travelling to different countries is mad expensive, seeing the travel costs here is honestly surreal. If you save and plan early enough, you can actually ball on a budget and get to enjoy Europe on your holidays.

There are some very cheap airlines and cheap Airbnb homes as well, so there should be no reason to not plan such trips and live a full life, especially as an international student where such opportunities may not present themselves as easily as they do here. Make the most of your time here!

Travel back, on time

If you went back to your home country during the holiday, please just come back early enough. Especially if it was the summer break and you’re moving into a new accommodation. Speaking from experience, give yourself enough time to settle in and safeguard against inconveniences that may occur.