From packing everything to being late: 10 mistakes every KCL fresher makes at least once

First year can be hard to navigate, especially when you are studying in London. You’re forced to live with a bunch of people you barely even know and miles away from home.

Undoubtedly you’re bound to make some mistakes along the way. Whether it’s being late to your seminars or having absolutely no budget for the year ahead, here are the 10 mistakes every KCL fresher has made at least once. 

1. Going to a really expensive pub

We’ve all been to a pub where one pint costs more than your weekly budget. Who at GDSA hasn’t been to The Roebuck? If you’re looking for a budget-friendly night out, head to Shakespeare’s Head instead. It’s 

2. Being late to a seminar

There’s nothing like walking into a seminar room 15 minutes late because you thought your seminar was at 10 am and not nine.

You’ll burst in with rain-drenched hair, looking like you’ve just done a 5K run, but at least you got your Venio code, right?

3. Not attending a lecture 

“They’re recorded, I’ll just watch them later”, you’ll say. But trust me, you will never watch that lecture back. Once you start this habit, it’s hard to go back. So just don’t get into bad habits.

4. Having no budget

I’m going to sound like every secondary school teacher when I say “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Seriously though, without a budget, you’ll either overestimate or underestimate how much money you actually have to spend.

Creating a budget can help to relieve some of the first-year anxiety. Sticking to it may be another issue though…

5. Not joining Resi Sport and Wellness

If you didn’t already know, Resi Sport and Wellness is a free fitness programme available exclusively to those in King’s residences. Make the most of it while you can before walking from Lancaster Place to class becomes your idea of a workout (trust me, it’s not).

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6. Buying a society membership to a society you will never attend

Fresher’s fair is full of so many societies, and you hope to join them all. But let’s be honest: You do not have time for all of them.

Most societies offer a free welcome session to see if you like it before you buy it. Chances are, you will spend most of your time in the library doing your reading instead.

7. Wearing your lanyard everywhere

You might as well hold a sign that says, “Over here, I am a first-year!” I’ll never forget when I once saw a fresher in the theatre, lanyard proudly on show. You could practically see the fresher’s flu from a distance.

8. Forgetting your keys

It’s so easy to just head to reception to pick something up without bringing your keys. At least remember to bring your phone so you can call your flatmates when you inevitably get locked out.

9. Not signing up for the KCL GP until you need an appointment

Sign up as soon as you can so that when you need it, help is there for you. If you were wondering, the GP is in Bush House, so it’s just a stones throw away from Strand Campus. 

10. Packing your whole house

First-year rooms are a lot smaller than any of us could have anticipated. They really bring the ‘is this a Swedish prison or a uni accommodation’ videos to life.

So just ask yourself before you pack: How many of those shoes will you actually wear? And how many will be just gathering dust in your accommodation?

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