{"id":389043,"date":"2026-06-21T07:38:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T07:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=389043"},"modified":"2026-06-21T07:38:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T07:38:04","slug":"getting-ready-for-studies-at-imperial-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=389043","title":{"rendered":"Getting Ready for Studies at Imperial"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authored by Vijay (India), MSc Strategic Marketing<\/em><\/p>\n

Stepping into London for the first time was quite an experience. The city appeared enormous, noisy, and incredibly fast. Armed with merely a suitcase and Google Maps, I felt a bit lost on where to start. If you’re about to embark on this adventure, there’s no need to stress. Here’s some guidance to help you adjust to your new life in London before commencing your journey at Imperial, allowing you to fully appreciate the city.<\/p>\n

No matter if you arrive a few weeks ahead of schedule or right before the term kicks off, here\u2019s the advice I wish I had received upon my arrival.<\/p>\n

First things first: secure accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Book your lodging early to steer clear of high-priced hotel expenses. I got lucky, but that\u2019s not the case for everyone. The prime options disappear quickly, so aim to find a place close to your campus or a dependable Tube line to minimize lengthy commutes for morning lectures.<\/p>\n

Essential tasks: getting the necessary basics in order<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Upon arriving in London, take care of these essentials without delay:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Money transfers \u2013 as an international student, seek a trustworthy and affordable method to transfer funds from home. Services like Wise or Revolut offer favorable exchange rates.<\/li>\n
  • UK SIM card \u2013 obtain one swiftly to ensure you have mobile data for navigation in a new environment.<\/li>\n
  • Bank account \u2013 while some banks necessitate a UK address, digital banks like Monzo or Starling are efficient and cater to students. Open an account for routine transactions and payments from part-time jobs.<\/li>\n
  • Student ID card \u2013 crucial for accessing campus facilities, libraries, and availing student discounts. Retrieve it as soon as you can.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Your first week at Imperial is key<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Your inaugural week at Imperial is vital. It\u2019s the time to meet roommates, peers, and future companions. Engage fully in Welcome Week, explore the more than 350 student-organized clubs and societies, and sign up for activities that pique your interest.<\/p>\n

    Even if you feel shy, make an effort to get involved. I found some of my closest friends during campus tours and at society stalls. Your first week lays the groundwork for your university experience.<\/p>\n

    Getting around London: travel wisely<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    At first, I struggled to figure out the Tube and buses, resulting in a nine-kilometer trek across London. It was quite an adventure, albeit chaotic. Get your Student Oyster card and apply for the 18+ discount to benefit from affordable travel on the Tube and buses.<\/p>\n

    Walking remains an excellent way to discover the city and uncover hidden treasures.<\/p>\n

    Identify your comfort zones<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    London can be daunting, particularly during the initial phase. Having a go-to spot can be comforting. Personally, the park near my home is my daily escape for relaxation. The O2 is another venue I frequent weekly to enjoy a movie.<\/p>\n

    Seek out your own comforting places, whether it\u2019s a cafe, bookstore, or a riverside bench, to unwind and recharge.<\/p>\n

    And don\u2019t forget to roam!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Get to know your new neighborhood, including local grocery stores, pharmacies, parks, and your preferred eateries or coffee shops.<\/p>\n

    Explore renowned landmarks, delve into free museums, ride on a red double-decker bus, and wander aimlessly. Some of your most treasured memories may come from getting a bit lost.<\/p>\n

    Final pointers before diving into<\/strong> Imperial student life<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Acquire a reusable bag \u2013 shops typically charge for single-use bags.<\/li>\n
    • Invest in a waterproof jacket \u2013 umbrellas aren\u2019t very effective in blustery weather.<\/li>\n
    • Participate in unusual events \u2013 they often lead to the best stories.<\/li>\n
    • Don\u2019t be concerned if you feel disoriented \u2013 it\u2019s a common feeling at the start.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      There\u2019s no need to have everything sorted out on your first day. If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019re already in a better position than I was when I began at Imperial. Take a deep breath, grab your Oyster card, and kick off your London adventure one bus ride and Tesco visit at a time.<\/p>\n

      To learn more about my experiences, <\/em><\/strong><a href="https:\/\/www.imperial.ac.uk\/Stories\/my-imperial-story-vijay\/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="https:\/\/www.imperial.ac.uk\/Stories\/my-imperial-story-vijay\/ (Opens in a new<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Authored by Vijay (India), MSc Strategic Marketing Stepping into London for the first time was quite an experience. The city appeared enormous, noisy, and incredibly fast. Armed with merely a suitcase and Google Maps, I felt a bit lost on where to start. If you’re about to embark on this adventure, there’s no need to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":389044,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-389043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=389043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/389044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=389043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=389043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=389043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}