London student tips: things we wish we’d known

London Student Tips: Things We Wish We’d Known

Starting university in London is exciting, but there’s a lot to figure out at the same time. Which transport app should you use? What should you actually have in your bag? How do you meet people? And how are you supposed to know your way around a city this big?

You’re not expected to know everything straight away.

We’ve put together some practical London student tips to make those first few weeks a little easier — from getting around and organising your phone to finding your favourite spots, meeting people and making Republic feel like home.

Getting Around London

Download Citymapper

If you only download one London transport app, make it Citymapper.

It’s especially useful when there are delays, cancellations or a few different ways to get somewhere. Google Maps is great too, but Citymapper can give you more detail about the quickest route, which exit to use and where to stand on the train.

Tap in and out with the same card

You can use a contactless bank card, phone or Oyster card on most London transport.

If you’re using contactless, use the same card or device for the whole journey. Tapping in with your phone and tapping out with your physical card can make the system treat them as separate journeys.

Check if walking is quicker

London is surprisingly walkable.

If your journey involves two or three changes, check the walking route too. Around Canary Wharf, the City and central London, a 15-minute walk can sometimes be quicker than waiting for a train, changing lines and navigating a station.

Plus, you’ll get to know the city much faster.

Give yourself an extra 5–10 minutes

Eventually, you’ll know exactly how long your usual journeys take. Until then, give yourself a little extra time.

The DLR, Tube and buses are frequent, but delays and closures happen. Your future self will appreciate not having to sprint across campus because your train was delayed.

Learn landmarks, not just routes

Instead of remembering:

“Get off at East India and turn left.”

Try thinking:

“Walk towards the docks.”

Using buildings, cafés, stations and other landmarks as reference points makes navigating a new area much easier.

Your Phone Can Do More Than You Think

Your phone is basically your survival kit when you’re new to London, so make it work for you.

Put your important apps together

Create one folder with the apps you use all the time:

• Citymapper
• Your university app
• Calendar
• Maps
• Student email
• Banking app

When you’re running late and trying to find your classroom, the last thing you want is to search through five pages of apps.

Add your student email to your phone

Timetable changes, room updates and important announcements can come through when you’re nowhere near your laptop.

Having your student email on your phone means you’re much less likely to miss something important.

Screenshot your timetable

Your student portal might be great, but logging in every time you need to check your next class gets old quickly.

Take a screenshot of your timetable at the start of term and keep it somewhere easy to find. Just remember to update it if anything changes.

Make London Feel Smaller

London can feel huge when you first arrive. One of the easiest ways to make it feel more familiar is to start creating your own routines and favourite places.

Don’t wait until you “know London” to explore it

You don’t need to become a London expert before you start exploring.

Get off at a different station. Walk down a street you’ve never noticed before. Try somewhere new for lunch.

You’ll be surprised how quickly you start building your own mental map of the city.

Build little routines

Small routines can make a big city feel much smaller.

Maybe it’s the same coffee before class, the same walk after lectures or a favourite place to sit when you have an hour between classes.

Eventually, those little places start making London feel like home.

Don’t just stay in Zone 1

There’s so much more to London than the usual tourist spots.

East London has brilliant food, markets, parks, independent businesses and creative spaces. Start exploring the areas around Republic and work your way out.

What Should You Always Have in Your Bag?

A few things you’ll probably be very glad you brought:

• Portable charger
• Water bottle
• Umbrella
• Earphones or headphones
• Hand sanitiser
• Lip balm
• Reusable tote bag
• Emergency snack

And yes, the umbrella really is worth carrying. London weather can change very quickly.

Headphones: The Universal “I’m Busy” Sign

Headphones are great when you need to focus, especially when you’re studying or travelling.

But if you’re trying to meet people, consider taking them off during breaks. It makes you much more approachable and gives other people an easy opportunity to start a conversation.

You never know who might end up being your new coffee buddy.

If the Sun Comes Out, Go Outside

Seriously.

Londoners know sunny weather can disappear very quickly, which is why parks, docks and outdoor spaces suddenly become packed.

If you have a break between lectures and the weather is good, take your coffee outside. The docks are right there.

Study Smarter, Not Harder

Organise your files from day one

Create one folder for each module before your first lecture.

It takes five minutes now and saves you from having a folder called “Uni Stuff FINAL FINAL 2” three months later.

Rename your files

If your lecturer uploads:

Week5_Final_v3.pdf

rename it to something you’ll actually recognise:

ModuleName_Week5_Lecture.pdf

Future you will thank you.

Leave notes for your future self

If something doesn’t make sense during a lecture, leave yourself a quick note.

Even:

“I didn’t understand this bit.”

When revision comes around, you’ll know exactly what you need to go back to instead of rereading everything.

Meeting People at University

You don’t have to become best friends with everyone during Welcome Week. Sometimes the smallest interactions are what get things started.

Stay for five minutes after class

The few minutes after a class can be the easiest time to talk to someone. Everyone is packing up, figuring out what they’re doing next and heading in the same direction.

Stay for five minutes. Say hi. Ask someone’s name. See where the conversation goes.

Be the person who asks

“Does anyone want to grab a coffee?”

A lot of people are waiting for someone else to suggest it.

You don’t need a huge plan. Coffee, lunch or a walk around the docks is enough.

Meet people outside your course

One of the things that makes Republic different is that students from different universities and courses share the same campus.

You might spend most of your time with people from your course, but don’t be afraid to talk to someone studying something completely different.

You never know who you’ll meet.

Republic-Specific Tips

Use the docks

The docks are one of the easiest places to escape the classroom for a few minutes.

If you’ve got a long break, take your coffee outside, go for a short walk or just sit by the water.

You don’t always need to leave campus to get some fresh air.

Explore the campus

Don’t assume your classroom is the only place worth knowing.

Take a walk around during your first few days and figure out where you like to sit, study, eat or take a break.

You’ll probably find a favourite spot.

See what’s happening on campus

Republic hosts events, markets, pop-ups and other activities throughout the year.

Keep an eye out for what’s happening rather than heading straight home after your last class. Some of the best things you’ll find are the ones you didn’t plan for.