Going to university is such an exciting time, but it can also be quite overwhelming. Moving to a new place is such a big change and it’s only normal to feel a little nervous. Luckily for you, Lancaster is a lovely place to live, and you’ll soon be figuring out your favourite place to eat, the best spots to study and your favourite pub for a night out!
Whether you’re moving to Lancaster for the first time, or you’re a seasoned pro returning to your student home for your 3rd year, here’s everything you need to know about the city! Escape Campus understands that university life is so much more than just deadlines and lectures, so here are a few things you can do to make the most of your time here.
Getting Settled in Lancaster
Lancaster might only be small, but it’s a lively city with lots going on and plenty to offer. One of the best parts about living here, especially if you’re in off-campus Lancaster student accommodation, is that so much of the popular stuff is within a short walking distance, including shops, bars and restaurants.
Making time to get settled into your Lancaster student home is key. Whether it’s your first time in Lancaster or you’re just living in a different part of the city, getting familiar with what’s around you will help you make the most of your student experience. Find the best takeaway nearby, your closest bus stop, how long it takes you to get into town and get to know the streets around your new student accommodation, and you’ll start to feel at home in no time.
Exploring the City Centre
Lancaster city centre has the best of both worlds. There are all the classic chain restaurants and shops, but Lancaster is also full of independent cafes, restaurants and shops. It’s so worth spending a day getting out of your Lancaster student accommodation and exploring Lancaster’s rich history and old streets.
Lancaster’s iconic castle is one of the most well-known and oldest landmarks in the city, and it’s slap bang in the middle of the city centre, so you really can’t miss it! If you’re living in student accommodation right in the town centre, you might even be able to see it from the comfort of your own home.
Explore Your University Campus
Whether you’re a first year or a student returning for your master’s, exploring your university campus before Uni life, deadlines and lectures take over can be a nice way to settle into the new academic year. Whether you’re attending Lancaster University or you’re at the University of Cumbria, making yourself familiar with the buildings your lectures are in and finding the best spots to grab a bite to eat are sure to give you the best start to the new year.
Don’t forget to look into what clubs and societies the university has running. Joining something is a great way to experience something new, meet new people and hopefully make a few friends.
Find the Best Study Spots!
Whilst we’re all for making lots of memories during your university experience, it’s best you do find time to do your assignments and revise for exams. Lancaster is home to lots of lovely study spots, and it’s within your best interests to find the one that works best for you!
You may be perfectly happy studying from the comfort of your student home, which is great. However, that doesn’t work for everyone and sometimes you need a change of scenery. Try a few different spots around the city centre, your Uni library, the local library or an independent coffee shop. If you want to find out more about the best study spots in the city, click here.
Bond with Your Housemates
Everyone knows that picking who to live with in your next Lancaster student home is a big decision that can make or break your university experience! It’s so important to spend time getting to know your housemates. Go for a day out, cook dinner together or explore Lancaster centre as a group.
It’s also great to establish who is doing what in the house, whether that’s a rota of chores, the washing up, noise levels or anything else that may impact your daily life as a student.
There’s no best way to make the most of Uni and the city you live in. Some Lancaster students love to party, others enjoy a quiet night in your student home, and some prefer getting to know the city and its surroundings and immersing themselves in the history. The key is to find what works best for you and enjoy it as much as you can.
However you choose to spend your time in Lancaster, we hope you love it!