A wonderful list of do’s and don’ts from Emily Neal, a Fall 2016 student.
DO:
Explore the area around where you live.
I recommend Oxford Street if you live around the Bond Street Tube Station
Be a tourist at least for one day, visit Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower of London, Harrods etc.
Check out this website for student discounts.
Look on Groupon for cheap places to travel, cooking classes, concerts, plays, or whatever you please.
Go to Museums – they’re FREE!
Go to a Football or Rugby Match – you can get discounted tickets on Groupon.
Check out the different food markets
I recommend Borough Market, you can spend hours there – go with an appetite (a little expensive, but definitely worth it). Portobello Market is good if you like antiques or fashion, Chelsea Market is smaller and not a Farmer’s Market, but has little restaurants lining the street.
Do the Jack the Ripper Walk – not if you’re afraid of the dark, as it takes places at night, or get spooked easily.
Take advantage of student discounts at restaurants, stores, or attractions – ask if they have one.
Immerse yourself in the London culture – don’t feel like you’re an outsider just here for 4 months. You live here, become a local.
Take the day for yourself sometimes – go to a park and read a book, go get lunch, or just walk around. Everyone needs “me time”
DON’T:
Sit in your flat on the weekends – EXPLORE or travel! You only study abroad once!
Don’t not do something because your friends don’t want to – do it on your own or find someone from class who will want to!
Don’t travel on the weekend and save all of your homework for Sunday night when you return to your flat.
You will be exhausted and you will not get your work done, be a student first and then travel.
Don’t take the same route to class every day, mix it up and you’ll find new things about the city you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Don’t rely on the Tube to be running all the time – it shuts down, you will be late for class if you don’t have a back-up plan. Trust me.
DON’T leave your phone or wallet in your back pocket – someone will take it if they can.
Don’t be on your phone all the time looking at what your friends are doing, you live here now, not at home or Syracuse.
Don’t not do something you really want to because it is a little expensive, if you can make it work do it. It may be a once in a lifetime experience.
Don’t sleep the day away. Wake up early, take advantage of the time you have here. It will go by fast.
Don’t WORRY! Everything will work out with travel plans, classes, money, etc. You’re in LONDON, take a breath and remember that, it’s a wonderful place to be.